Image Credits: Imago Images
FC Halifax Town’s 2025/26 campaign ended in frustration rather than celebration, with their promotion dream extinguished by Oldham Athletic on 14 May
After flirting with the play-off places for much of the season, the Shaymen saw their hopes crushed in a National League eliminator, suffering a bruising 4–0 defeat that confirmed they would miss out on both automatic promotion and the showpiece Promotion Final at Wembley.
That disappointment has sharpened focus at The Shay, where there is a clear recognition that adding extra quality in the final third is essential if Halifax are to go one better next time.
It’s against that backdrop that the club have now officially moved to sign former Liverpool and Barcelona winger Zak Gilsenan, a player whose CV jumps off the page.
Gilsenan spent two years at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy after scoring seven goals in a trial game.
From there he moved to Liverpool in 2014. However, injuries meant that he only spent two years on Merseyside before making the move to Blackburn Rovers in 2016.
After leaving Blackburn Rovers in 2025, he dropped into the EFL with Grimsby Town, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal.
Gilsenan spent part of last season out on loan in the National League North with Buxton under John McGrath.
There, he enjoyed a bright spell, registering three goals in eight appearances and showing he could influence games consistently from wide areas.
His form earned him a recall from Grimsby and a second loan, this time to Gateshead, where he added another six senior outings at the business end of the campaign.
Now 22, he is described as a tall, technical wide player who loves getting on the ball, driving at defenders and lifting supporters off their seats.
Speaking after his announcement, he said:
“Fans can expect someone who wants to win, I will try and drive the standards of the lads. I like to think I can make things happen on the pitch, I’ve got good quality so hopefully I can bring that.”
Meanwhile, Wigan Athletic completed the signing of former Liverpool defender Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen last week.