Cobblers complete deadline day hat-trick as winger joins on a free

The 27-year-old has signed a one-year deal at Sixfields and joins Josh Powell and Sam Chambers through the door on a busy deadline day. Dale, who was reportedly in talks with Plymouth and Leyton Orient earlier in the summer, is Northampton’s 13th signing of the window and his arrival likely completes the club’s business for the summer.

"Owen is an exciting signing," said Chris Hogg. "After starting out at Crewe, he has been a higher level player throughout his career in both League One and the Championship.

"Owen has shown a commitment to come and play for us, he is an exciting wide player who is very direct and who will bring quality from wide areas.

"I think he is someone the supporters will enjoy watching. He has excelled at the level above, spending last season at Plymouth, and we have had some really positive conversations, and what came through was that he was really keen to come here.

"We have done really well to sign Owen, he is an excellent addition for the club and we are very excited that Owen is joining us."

Admired for his work-rate, energy and directness, Dale spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Plymouth Argyle, playing 32 times as the Pilgrims narrowly missed out on the League One play-offs.

The nippy winger began his career at Crewe Alexandra, scoring 15 goals in just over 100 appearances, and he also had a loan spell at Blackpool.

After making the move to Blackpool permanent in February 2022, he enjoyed a loan stint with Portsmouth in 2022/23, playing 49 times, before heading to Oxford United, where he made 30 appearances and helped the club win promotion to the Championship. During his time at United, he also had a period on loan at Wigan Athletic, as well as last season's spell at Plymouth.

Despite only being 27, Dale has made well over 300 senior appearances, and since leaving Crewe, the vast majority of these appearances have come in either League One or the Championship.