Full-back leaves Morecambe and makes the move to Harrogate Town

Lewis Payne has left Morecambe and joined Harrogate Town upon the end of his contract with the Shrimps.

The full-back had been one of seven players in negotiations with the club following relegation from the National League this season.

However, the former Southampton youngster has elected to join Harrogate as they look for an immediate return to the EFL in 2026/27 after they dropped into the National League.

He follows Jack Nolan and Gwion Edwards in leaving the Halo Aerospace Stadium and, with new deals for Ben Williams, Myles Boney and Paul Lewis, that leaves Jake Cain as the only player whose future is still to be confirmed.

Payne told Harrogate’s website: “I’m obviously buzzing for it to be done and excited to go on.

“I’m an attack-minded full-back or wing-back. I like to get forward, I like to create stuff, I like to score, I like to assist - and obviously, I enjoy the defensive part as well.

“I think you always want to be part of a project, especially a club that wants to be going in the right direction, because that’s what I want to be doing as well. So it’s definitely nice to find a new home and get going.

“I want to score, I want to assist, I want to bring my game to the team and make a big impact.”

The 22-year-old joined the Shrimps last September, scoring four times in 35 league and cup appearances as they dropped into National League North.

Morecambe will receive an undisclosed compensation fee for Payne, given he is under 24 years of age and was offered a new contract by the club.