Peterborough United have made a significant move in the transfer market, announcing the signing of experienced defender Tom Lees. The 34-year-old, who boasts an impressive career tally of 660 appearances across English football, joined the Posh as a free agent after his release from Huddersfield Town at the end of last season. Lees completed the necessary paperwork at the Bespoke Builds Training Ground on Friday, August 15, 2025, marking the start of a new chapter for both player and club.
Lees’ arrival comes at a crucial time for Peterborough United. The club needed to bolster its defensive options following news that Sam Hughes, a key figure at the back, would be sidelined for up to three months after undergoing surgery on his Achilles. Lees, with his wealth of experience and versatility, is seen as the ideal candidate to provide cover and leadership during this period of transition.
Manager Darren Ferguson was quick to express his delight at securing Lees’ signature, emphasizing the defender’s pedigree and the qualities he brings to the squad. “Tom is a really good signing for us,” Ferguson told the club website. “We were looking for an experienced defender, someone who can come in and help the group. He has played all of his career at a higher level. He came in and trained with us and was excellent, fitted in straight away and is exactly what we need. He can play in a back three or in a four, brings a lot of knowledge and will be a great example to others in terms of the way he trains and plays.”
Lees’ football journey began at Leeds United, where he made his professional debut and gained valuable experience with loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Bury. His career truly took off at Sheffield Wednesday, where he racked up 274 appearances in all competitions and established himself as a reliable presence in the heart of defense. After leaving Wednesday, Lees joined Huddersfield Town, becoming a mainstay at the back for the Terriers and featuring in 32 games last season—his first campaign at League One level after years in the Sky Bet Championship.
With nearly 600 league games under his belt at the Championship level, Lees brings a level of know-how and composure that is hard to find. The defender’s adaptability is another asset, with Ferguson noting his ability to slot into either a back three or a traditional back four. Such flexibility will be vital as Peterborough navigates the early months of the season, especially given the club’s recent squad turnover and the need to integrate new faces quickly.
The signing process wasn’t without its challenges. Lees had not featured in pre-season, and there was a brief delay as the club awaited a second opinion on his medical. However, Ferguson was quick to allay any concerns, stating, “There was no issue with the medical side of it, we were just waiting for a second opinion, which we have now obtained. Tom will need to get up to speed as he hasn't featured in pre-season, but he is an incredible professional and I am looking forward to working with him.”
For Lees, the decision to join Peterborough was influenced heavily by the opportunity to work with Ferguson, a manager he has long admired from afar. “One of the main reasons for agreeing to come to this club is the manager Darren Ferguson. I have played against his teams for many years and even when I came into the training ground and saw the pictures of the sides that he has been in charge of, you can see clearly that they have been successful and hugely competitive over a long period of time,” Lees said. He continued, “Everybody that I spoke to in football, when I was in contact with the gaffer, said that I need to jump at the opportunity to work with him.”
Lees was also drawn to Peterborough’s reputation for playing attractive football and its history of success at League One level. “The club has had a lot of success in this league and looking around, it shows what you can do if you get a good group of hungry players that are looking to improve and doing it in a style that is exciting to be a part of and that is something I am looking forward too here because there is a lot of young talent in that dressing room,” he remarked. “I have played a lot of football in my career, but at this point of my career, I want to enjoy it too and the style Peterborough are famous for is quite attractive.”
The defender acknowledged the significant changes within the squad since last season, with several players having moved on to other clubs, but he sees this as an opportunity to help shape a new, competitive group. “It has been a big turnover in the squad from last season and in some ways, it shows that a good job was done with that team that other clubs have come in and taken some of those players. That task starts again now, it is a new group but I have already seen that the dressing room is hungry to be successful and speaking to the manager, he has said how desperate he is to be competitive this season, so I know him and the chairman will be trying to make the squad as strong as it can be,” Lees said.
The length of Lees’ contract remains undisclosed, with the club choosing not to reveal details of the agreement. However, both Ferguson and Lees are focused on the immediate task at hand: helping Peterborough United remain competitive during a period of change and challenge. The blend of youthful energy and seasoned leadership could prove vital as the Posh aim to build on their recent successes and push for honors once again in League One.
With the new season underway and Sam Hughes sidelined, all eyes will be on Lees as he works to regain match fitness and make his mark at London Road. If his track record is any indication, Peterborough fans have every reason to believe that the veteran defender will rise to the occasion and become a key figure in the club’s quest for success this campaign.
As the action unfolds and Lees settles into his new surroundings, the stage is set for an intriguing season at Peterborough United—one where experience and ambition will go hand in hand.
