Following the confirmation of the 2024/25 retained list, we take a look at the players who are returning to their parent clubs at the expiry of their loan deals…
Jenson Metcalfe
The Everton midfielder joined on a season-long loan on Deadline Day for the summer transfer window. He quickly became an integral part of the midfield alongside Darren Oldaker, Tom Naylor and later John Fleck.
Metcalfe suffered a foot injury in November that kept him out until the end of January. Upon returning to the matchday squad, he continued to show the quality that saw him named on the Everton bench for Premier League games at the start of the campaign.
Overall, he made 32 appearances for Chesterfield and scored once in the 3-3 home draw against Bradford City. That goal was named Goal of the Season in the club’s End of Season awards in April.
Bim Pepple
In January, Pepple signed for the Spireites on loan until the end of the season after he was recalled by Luton Town. He made his debut in the Vertu Trophy against Rotherham United and impressed with his battling and pressing.
He scored his first goals for the club in the 5-2 win over Doncaster Rovers in February, netting twice in that game. The Canadian then scored in three games in a row in March as the Spireites notched three successive victories against Newport County, Salford City and Notts County.
The striker continued to make regular appearances until the end of the season and helped the Spireites clinch a play-off spot. Pepple played 23 times in his loan spell and scored five goals in that time.
Jack Sparkes
Sparkes joined on loan from League One side Peterborough United in January until the end of the season. He immediately made an impact in the left-back position and became a fans’ favourite.
A knee injury against Salford City kept the full-back out until the play-offs. However, Sparkes would return for the two-legged semi-final against Walsall.
The 24-year-old made 12 appearances for the Spireites and provided three assists.
Michael Olakigbe
Towards the end of the January transfer window, Olakigbe signed on loan from Premier League outfit Brentford. He impressed on his debut against Cheltenham Town, despite the late defeat.
He played 18 times during the loan spell and scored twice. The two goals came in home wins over Doncaster Rovers and Morecambe.
Harvey Araujo
The loan capture of Araujo from Premier League Fulham was announced in August. He linked up with team-mate Devam Tanton, who was recalled in January.
The 20-year-old made most of his appearances at either centre-back or left-back. Unfortunately, a knee injury he suffered in December kept him out until the Easter weekend. Araujo played 23 times for the club throughout his loan spell.
Max Thompson
Thompson made the loan move to Chesterfield from Newcastle United in August. He had to wait until October to make his first league appearance for the club, a 2-2 home draw against Walsall.
He maintained his place between the sticks until February when Ryan Boot was brought back into the starting line-up. The shot-stopper played 22 times in all competitions, keeping six clean sheets.
The club would like to thank the players who are returning to their parent clubs for their service and wish them all the very best for the future.
