Stockport County is delighted to announce Rhys Bennett as our latest signing, with the Manchester United defender joining us on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 20-year-old centre-half was captain of the United side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022, scoring in the final against Nottingham Forest in front of a record crowd of 67,000 at Old Trafford.
Rhys is well known to manager Dave Challinor and the first-team squad, having spent time training with us at Carrington last season as part of a work experience arrangement between the two clubs. Having impressed during his time here Rhys then returned to Old Trafford, with his performances earning him a new contract with the club in the summer.
The Denton-born defender has since stepped up to the U21s side and been a regular in the Premier League 2 competition, whilst he has also been named in the first-team matchday squad by Erik Ten Hag on three occasions this season.
He now moves to Edgeley Park for the first loan spell of his career, becoming our second signing of the week following the addition of Rico Richards on loan from Aston Villa on Thursday. Rhys will wear the number 26 shirt during his time with us, and will be available for tomorrow’s game against Notts County – subject to EFL approval.
First-Team Manager, Dave Challinor said:
“Rhys is someone we know and who knows us. He spent a couple of months with us last season as part of an arrangement we had with Man United to get some younger players into our environment to train. It’s fair to say he made a lasting impression on all of the staff not just in terms of his ability, but as a character and personality in being mature and having an understanding of the game. When the opportunity came to bring him back in, especially due to our current situation, it was something we were all keen to do and it’s great to have him back with us.”
Director of Football, Simon Wilson said:
“This is a good example of how clubs can work effectively with each other. Rhys trained with us last season for a month on work experience, which was part of a wider initiative by Manchester United to give their players some preparation for a loan in senior football.
“The feedback all round from that was excellent, Rhys has kicked on since with United’s first-team but is now available for loan and having had that initial exposure to each other it was an easy win for all parties. He gives us good depth across defensive positions. The previous time together gives us all a head start and I’m sure Rhys will settle quickly and contribute to our important remaining games this season.”
