Cobblers snap up former Ipswich and Chesterfield defender
Cobblers have sealed a deal for experienced defender Janoi Donacien.
The versatile 32-year-old, Town’s fourth summer signing, can play at centre-back or full-back on either side. He’s penned a one-year deal.
“Janoi is a player I know well,” said Cobblers boss Chris Hogg. "He is an excellent person to bring in to the squad. He is an aggressive, versatile defender who is quick and who can play anywhere across the back line.
“He has a lot of success through his career, including back to back promotions at Ipswich Town and a promotion with Accrington. Fans have always appreciated his character, commitment and performances. He is in a good place physically and he is ready to kick on and help us move forward.”
After coming through the academies at Luton, Tottenham and Aston Villa, Donacien had loan spells at Tranmere Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers and Newport County before making the permanent switch to Accrington Stanley in 2016.
The Saint Lucian International, who was born on the Caribbean island and has played four times for his country, spent three years at Accy and was a key member of their League Two title-winning side in 2018. He subsequently earned a move to Ipswich Town later that same year for a reported fee of £750,000, going on to make 127 appearances for the Tractor Boys, while also appearing in 19 games in a loan spell at Fleetwood Town. He was part of the Ipswich team that won promotion to the Championship in 2023.
Two years later, Donacien made the move to Chesterfield and chalked up 33 games across a season and a half, appearing in the 2026 League Two play-off semi-finals at the end of last season, before being released in May.