County’s midfield move
22 Sep 2023 10:00
Published by:
Scott Callan
STOCKPORT County have completed the signing of midfielder Joel Cotterill on a season-long loan deal from Championship club Swansea City.
The highly rated 18-year-old moves to Edgeley Park in his first loan move, having picked up his club’s academy player of the year award last season for his performances with the Swans’ Under 21s, captaining the side on several occasions.
Simon Wilson, County’s director of football, told the club’s official website that he believes the new young arrival will make his mark during his stay.
He said: “Joel is a dynamic, ball-playing midfielder that can play in a number of positions, and who is ready for men’s football.
“In the context of the new rules, with longer games, and more disciplinary action, we anticipate needing to use the full squad this season, and I am sure he is going to make a meaningful impact.”
He added: “Our thanks to Swansea for the loan of one of their most promising assets.”
Cotterill made his debut for the Swans first-team last August in a Carabao Cup tie against Oxford United. He has been at the club since the age of seven.
He signed a new three-year-deal with Swansea over the summer. He also made his debut for Wales U21s during the last campaign, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Scotland in March. Cotterill will wear the number 22 during his time at County.
The signing came as County manager Dave Challinor spoke of the need for more depth to his squad as the transfer deadline loomed.
Speaking after his side’s defeat at the hands of Mansfield he said: “We have to make sure we are in a position that players out there do not feel comfortable and think they’re going to play all the time.”
He was also critical of the way County twice let leads slip before losing the game 3-2 and travelling back home empty handed.
He said: “You have to defend well and the goals were awful again. They were down to poor concentration.”
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