Brentwood Town FC can today confirm its retained list ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Agreed New Terms
Aiden Prall
Andy Freeman
Aron Pollock
Benas Vaivada
Bradley Sach
Charlee Hughes
Jesse Olukolu
Matt Cripps
Max Hudson
Scott Kashket
Wyan Reid
Departing the Club
Ade Cole
Alejandro Machado
Charlie Edwards
Danny Ogunleye
Ethan Kaiser
Jon Nzengo
Kymani Thomas
Louie Johnson
Ade Cole
As many supporters will have already seen, Ade has joined newly promoted AFC Whyteleafe following a season and a half with the Blues.
The skilful midfielder joined us from Walthamstow in January 2025 and proved to be a pivotal signing, slotting seamlessly into our midfield as we went on to lift the Isthmian League North title. Ade also chipped in with two crucial goals against Bury Town and Mildenhall Town during that memorable promotion-winning campaign.
Ade remained with us for our return to the Isthmian League Premier Division and once again became a vital cog in the side as we reached the Play-Off Final.
In total, Ade made 60 appearances and scored 3 goals – with that third strike being that ice-cold penalty away to Aveley in the Play-Off Semi-Final. The coolest man on the pitch – our very own non-league N’Golo Kanté.
Alejandro Machado
‘Ale’ also departs after seven months with the Blues to join Folkestone Invicta.
The cultured Spaniard joined us in October 2025 and made an instant impact, scoring on his debut away to Westfield in the Isuzu FA Trophy.
From that moment on, the box-to-box midfielder cemented his place in the starting XI, going on to make 34 appearances in Sky Blue and scoring 6 goals – including that outrageous free-kick away to Canvey Island.
Charlie Edwards
As supporters will have already seen, Charlie has recently joined St Albans City following one season with the Blues.
Midfielder Charlie Edwards joined the club in the summer of 2025 following his departure from Cray Wanderers, making his debut away at Aveley on the opening day of the season.
The experienced midfielder proved to be an excellent addition as the Blues prepared for their first campaign back at Step 3 in nine years. A tireless worker in the middle of the park, Charlie consistently delivered when called upon and became an important part of the squad throughout the season.
Charlie made 42 appearances for the club, scoring four goals, and his contributions both on and off the pitch will be greatly missed at The Arena.
Danny Ogunleye
Danny joined the Blues from Forest Green Rovers in 2020 and developed into one of the club’s most influential players, scoring 86 goals in 198 appearances. His standout 2024/25 campaign saw him score 43 goals as Brentwood secured the Isthmian League North title, before adding a further 22 goals during our first season back at Step 3.
Danny’s performances over the past two seasons have deservedly attracted interest higher up the football pyramid, and he will now take the opportunity to play National League South football with Ebbsfleet United.
Danny came to us as a boy and leaves as a man, and everybody associated with Brentwood Town looks forward to watching his progress at a higher level, where we are sure he will continue to score goals and cause defenders nightmares.
Ethan Kaiser
Defender Ethan Kaiser joined the Blues in December 2025, making his debut in the home draw against Cheshunt.
Ethan quickly became a pivotal member of the squad, forming a strong defensive partnership alongside captain Matt Cripps. His impact was immediate, earning the club’s Player of the Month award after his first month at The Arena.
A reliable and commanding presence at the heart of the defence, Ethan went on to make 24 appearances for the Blues, scoring twice.
Jon Nzengo
Jon departs the Blues after 2 & a half years with the club and has recently joined Tilbury.
Joining from Essex neighbours Aveley in November 2023, Jon quickly became a fan favourite with his relentless energy down the right-hand side and eye for goal – earning himself the nickname “The Brentwood Cafu”.
Jon played a key role in helping us reach the Isthmian League North Play-Off Final in 2024, before remaining with the club for the following campaign as we secured promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division.
After agreeing terms to stay with us last season, Jon unfortunately saw his campaign heavily disrupted by two long-term injuries, restricting him to just 14 appearances.
Despite that, Jon leaves having made 94 appearances for the Blues – agonisingly just six short of the magic 100 – while scoring 8 goals, with plenty of them absolute screamers.
Kymani Thomas
Kymani also departs after a season at The Arena and makes the step up with Dagenham & Redbridge.
The tricky winger joined us from Waltham Abbey following an impressive campaign at Step 4, which also earned him a short-term spell with Ebbsfleet United in the National League.
It didn’t take long for “KT” to hit the ground running, scoring his first goal for the Blues at home to Burgess Hill Town with a stunning long-range strike.
Kymani would go on to score 14 goals in 47 appearances in Sky Blue – finishing as our joint-highest appearance maker this season alongside Matt Cripps and Danny Ogunleye.
As Kymani himself will tell you – he only scores bangers – and we lost count of the number of absolute worldies he produced throughout the campaign.
Louie Johnson
Louie Johnson departs the Blues after joining the club in the summer of 2025 from Walthamstow, where he had enjoyed a superb campaign, scoring 18 goals and sweeping the club’s end-of-season awards.
Making the step up to Step 3, Louie quickly proved to be a valuable asset, contributing not only with goals but also with his tireless work rate and energy in midfield. Despite suffering a facial injury in October that sidelined him for almost two months, Louie still made 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals, and won both Manager’s Player of the Season, and ERB Goal of the Season.
The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to those departing the club, and wish them all the very best for the future.
