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Hereford have missed out on forward Deji Sotona, who has signed for National League North rivals King’s Lynn Town.
Bulls News understands the 23-year-old had been due to join the Bulls before completing a move to the Linnets instead.
Hereford boss Aaron Downes said he would not confirm nor deny whether Sotona was a target, but the winger he had hoped to sign this week had verbally agreed a deal but that changed at 10pm on Monday.
Despite that, Downes said he was a "happy man not a sad man".
"I'm actually quite happy and glad because I'm a man of principle, I'm a man of truth and honesty," Downes told the press after the 4-1 defeat at home to National League North leaders AFC Fylde.
"When someone tells me they're coming and we verbally agree that and then they go back on that, that's fine, that's their decision. I'm quite comfortable, I want people who want to be here and who want to be here for the right reasons.
King’s Lynn confirmed the signing of the 'free agent' on Tuesday, describing Sotona as a “pacey winger” who will add attacking threat to their squad as they fight to pick up points to stave off the threat of relegation.
The Irish-born attacker began his career at Manchester United’s academy before moving to French side Nice, and has since gained senior experience with clubs including Doncaster Rovers and Boston United.
Sotona’s recent return to fitness has seen him feature for Witton Albion, where he had been on dual registration after joining Boston earlier this season. His time there followed a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered on his debut for Eastleigh in 2024, which ruled him out for much of the campaign.
Witton confirmed his departure earlier this week after receiving a seven-day approach from a National League North club. That club was believed to be Hereford, though King's Lynn eventually captured his signature.
Sotona was quickly thrown into the action for his new side, coming off the bench as King’s Lynn — managed by former Hereford boss Paul Caddis — recorded a 3-0 win over South Shields on Tuesday night.