Exeter City defender Alex Hartride has become Wycombe Wanderers’ first signing of the 2024/25 League One season.

25-year-old Hartidge, a vastly experienced third tier operator, has ended his eight-year first-team spell with the Grecians to make the move to Adam’s Park.

A central defender with eight non-league loan spells under his belt, Hartidge made 154 appearances for his boyhood club in League Two and League One.

Opting not to extend his stay, the Devon native played 35 times last season as Gary Caldwell’s side finished 13th in League One.

His most prolific campaign came in 2022/23 as he made 43 appearances in Exeter’s first campaign back in the third tier.

He will officially join Wycombe on July 1 when his contract expires at St James’ Park, subject to EFL and FA approval.

The defender is the first arrival of the Mikheil Lomtadze era at the club.
Having spent 17 years on the books with the club, it was an emotional exit for Hartidge and the staff at Exeter.

“It’s always a sad moment, but a proud moment at the same time when academy players leave,” Caldwell commented when Hartidge confirmed he was departing.

“Hopefully they go into the wider football world and have fantastic careers as there are so many success stories from our Academy.

“The flagship story is Ollie Wakins in terms of what he is doing in the Premier League. Archie Collins is in a play-off semi-final this week with Peterborough United, Jack Sparkes won promotion with Portsmouth and Josh Key has had an amazing season with Swansea City in the Championship.

“All these players that leave the Academy are going on to have fantastic careers and hopefully Alex and Harry will go on and do that.”