Ebbsfleet United can confirm the signing of defender Jack Wakely who returns to the club on a permanent basis. 

Wakely impressed in his five appearances on loan from Wycombe Wanderers at the beginning of 2023/24 but his season-long loan deal was cut short by a serious injury sustained at Barnet. He was released by Wycombe in May and now at full fitness, he becomes the latest signing announced under new boss Harry Watling.

The 6ft 4in defender spent the early stages of his career at Chelsea, joining at the age of nine and signing professional terms when he was 17, winning the 2017/18 U18 Premier League title. He had loan experience with Basingstoke Town while also playing for Brighton and Leicester City U23s before he moved to Wycombe on a two-year deal in 2021. 

He made appearances in the EFL and FA Cup for the Chairboys and also gained his first experience of the National League on a loan with Maidenhead United in March 2023.

Speaking to FleetTV, the returning centre-back said: “It’s been a long journey. I’ve had to put in a lot of work and there have been challenges. But with the work I have done, I have gotten myself in a really good place. My knee feels solid, I’m strong everywhere which gives me a lot of confidence going into the season.”