Stockport County is delighted to announce the signing of Port Vale defender Lewis Cass on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
By moving to Edgeley Park the 23-year-old links up with manager Dave Challinor for the second time, after the pair won promotion from the National League together during their time at Hartlepool United.
A right-back by trade, Cass began his career at Premier League side Newcastle United, where he was named in the matchday squad for the first time in Rafael Benitez’s final game in charge of the club.
In what was his first experience of first-team football, the North-Shields born defender then made the short trip to Hartlepool United in the National League, with Dave Challinor moving to bring him in on loan. Cass would go on to make 37 appearances in all competitions that year, as the Monkey Hangers won promotion to the EFL via the play-offs.
Despite interest from DC in retaining his services at the Suit Direct Stadium for the following season, the defender instead made the move to fellow League Two side Port Vale on loan for the 2021/22 campaign. Playing both on the right of a back three and at wing-back, he impressed with his performances during his time at Vale Park, playing 27 times in the first half of the season before his campaign was cruelly cut short by injury in January.
Vale would go on to secure promotion from League Two that year in the play-offs, before moving to sign Cass on a permanent basis that same Summer. He has since gone on to make 31 appearances for the club whilst in League One, including 12 in the first half of this season.
At just 23, Cass now moves to Edgeley Park looking to secure the third promotion of his career, joining a County side sat five points clear at the top of League Two with 18 games left to play. He will wear the number 32 during his time with the club, and could make his debut this weekend in our game against Harrogate Town.
First-Team Manager, Dave Challinor said:
“Lewis is someone I know well having worked within the him before at Hartlepool. He’s a very good character and has experience, despite his age, of being involved in promotion-winning teams. He’ll give us real good versatility down that right-hand side, the one area in the team where we needed some depth. I know he’ll fit into the group really well and we are all looking forward to his time with us.”
Director of Football, Simon Wilson said:
“Lewis is a good footballer who brings nice versatility for us down in the right defensive positions, and comes to help us after the unfortunate recent loss of Kyle Knoyle. His experience and quality means he is ready to slot right in. It’s a real positive that he’s worked with Dave previously and already lives locally, so can come in and hit the ground running.”
Watch Lewis’ first interview as a County player here:
