Joe Sbarra’s return to Solihull Moors on a loan deal from Doncaster Rovers was a dream come true for fans of the club, and signing him permanently this summer should be a priority.
The midfielder made 149 appearances over four years for Solihull Moors before moving to Doncaster in July 2024.
Although Sbarra has managed 43 appearances for Donny since moving, he struggled for minutes this season following their promotion to League One, featuring just three times.
This gave Solihull the chance to bring him back, and the move has worked brilliantly.
This season, he has proven exactly why he earned his move to the EFL in the first place, registering 10 goals in the National League, which made him the top scorer at the club.
His ability to arrive late in the box, dictate the tempo, and provide a calm presence in high-pressure moments makes him arguably one of the most influential players in the current squad.
Solihull finished 14th this season, ending the campaign with a win against Yeovil, which was expected by the best betting sites, who had the Moors as slight favourites to win the match. Sbarra was on the scoresheet again, with the match finishing 4-1.
It’s no shock that they won with Sbarra starting, as the club have only lost 10 of the 27 National League matches he played in, showing just how important the midfielder has been.
With his loan deal expiring at the end of May 2026, Solihull Moors must move heaven and earth to sign him permanently.
At 27 years old, Sbarra is in his prime and represents the exact calibre of player the Moors need if they want to make a serious challenge for the playoffs in the 2026/27 campaign.
Prising him away from Doncaster Rovers permanently will require a lot of work, and possibly a fair amount of finances, but it is a statement signing the club simply has to make.
Solihull Moors might actually find themselves in a surprisingly strong negotiating position. Doncaster Rovers are currently building a squad to solidify their status in League One, a level where Sbarra simply hasn’t been afforded the minutes to fit into their long-term vision.
With a year left on his contract, Doncaster’s hierarchy will likely be keen to offload his wages rather than keep an unhappy player rotting in the reserves.
However, Solihull cannot afford to drag their heels. A midfielder boasting Sbarra’s return of 10 goals in 27 league games will not have gone unnoticed by rival National League heavyweights with deep pockets, or even League Two sides looking for a bargain.
Wages could be an issue, but Sbarra returned to the club on loan, so he clearly has some love for The Moors.
He may be happy to adjust his wage expectations back to a National League structure in exchange for being the star of the team.
Replacing a player with his proven National League pedigree, tactical versatility, and deep connection with the Moors fanbase would cost far more in the long run than doing whatever it takes to secure his signature now.
