Morecambe’s top scorer this season won’t feature for them in the 2026/27 campaign

Morecambe have confirmed that Jack Nolan, this season’s top scorer, won’t be returning to the club as part of Adam Lakeland’s squad for 2026/27.

The Shrimps announced the news on Saturday afternoon, hours after confirming Taelor O’Kane as their fourth new signing of the close season.

Nolan had been listed as one of seven players in negotiations with the club when its retained list was published in mid-May.

However, the 25-year-old - who joined the club last September after leaving Gillingham - has opted for pastures new following the Shrimps’ relegation to National League North.

That was despite Nolan finishing the campaign with 20 goals in all competitions, 14 of which came after Jim Bentley arrived as manager at the start of February and moved him from the wing to a central attacking role.

A club statement said: “Everyone at Morecambe Football Club would like to place on record our thanks to Jack for his efforts, professionalism and commitment during his time with the club.”

Speaking at a fans’ forum last month, Lakeland had said the club wanted to retain Nolan’s services.

He said: “He’s loved being here last year despite the way the season ended. On a personal note, he had a very good season in terms of his numbers and we want to have the best players we can have.

“We’ve made him an offer and the ball’s in his and his agent’s court. If we can find a way to keep him, we’d absolutely love to keep him because there are going to be times next season, here especially, when teams will come here and sit in, will try and frustrate.

“In those games, you need players like Jack who can just come up with something out of nothing or who, when they get into the final third of the pitch, they have that execution, that quality.

“We’d love to keep him if we can and we’re going to try as hard as possible to do that.”