We are pleased to announce the signing of striker Jack Stretton for an undisclosed fee – the 21-year-old signing from League One Derby County on a deal until 2025.
A prolific scorer at youth-team level, Jack returns to Edgeley Park having previously enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Club two years ago. After marking his debut with a goal away at Solihull, he went on to score three times in five National League appearances under Simon Rusk, before being recalled by his parent side to be involved in their Championship campaign.
Injury prevented him from breaking into the Derby first-team at the back-end of that season, but the Club’s transfer embargo that Summer saw the youngster trusted by manager Wayne Rooney to start at the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign. He went on to make 12 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring his first goal for the Club in a Championship game against Peterborough United.
The Scotland U19 international has spent the first half of this season on loan at fellow League Two side Carlisle United, making 18 appearances for Paul Simpson’s side and helping them into 4th place. He was recalled from his loan spell at the Cumbrian side earlier this week, ahead of his Edgeley Park return.
First-Team Manager, Dave Challinor, said:
“Jack made a big impression the last time he was at the Club, not only with the staff and players, but with supporters as well. He’s still young, and is someone we feel has real potential to develop, improve and become a top goalscorer.
“What we have to do now is work with Jack to build his body to become more robust, and keep him on the pitch as often as possible to allow him to showcase his ability and develop as a player. We are really looking forward to working with him on that.”
Director of Football, Simon Wilson, said:
“Jack made a huge impact on everyone at the Club during his short spell in season 2020/21. He has a top player mindset, with a bit of an edge. We obviously made an impression on him too, and I remember him making arrangements of his own back to attend the play off game v Hartlepool after going back to Derby, and breaking into their first-team set-up in the Championship.
“We’ve tried several times to bring him back, so are delighted this time to get him now as our own player, and to secure him on a longer term contract.”
Keep an eye out on our social media channels next week for the first interviews with Jack, and fellow new signing Neill Byrne!
