Stockport County is delighted to announce that striker, Tanto Olaofe has signed a new three year contract at Edgeley Park, with the option of an additional year.
The 24-year-old, who joined the club from Millwall for an undisclosed fee in January 2023, was in inspired form last season, finishing as our top scorer in League Two as we secured our first EFL title in 57 years under Dave Challinor.
As the song goes, Tanto really was on fire in his first full season at Edgeley Park, terrifying League Two defences and finishing the campaign with 20 goals in the league. In doing so, he became the first Stockport County player to hit 20 league goals for the club in an EFL season since Luke Beckett over 20 years ago.
Fittingly, it was his final goal of the campaign early on against Morecambe that sent County on their way to securing promotion from League One last season. The forward, who formed an electric partnership with Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry in the early months of the season, has now scored 24 goals in 70 appearances since moving to Edgeley Park.
As we prepare for life in League One, securing the immediate future of our top young talent was a priority for the club this Summer, and Tanto now joins Ryan Rydel, Ethan Pye and new additions Jay Mingi and Jayden Fevrier in signing deals until 2027.
Director of Football, Simon Wilson said:
“We are delighted to extend with Tanto and continue the journey we are on together. He is an infectious character and I’ve never known someone to be so smiley, be also to be such an irritation for defenders!
“It was brilliant to see Tanto make such a step last year and in this extension we show we are confident he can make the next one. Their aren’t many of his type, and I think we’ve got one of the best.”
First-Team Manager, Dave Challinor said:
“It’s great that Tanto has agreed a new long term deal at the club. We’ve openly spoken this Summer about investing in ‘younger’ players that have potential to improve and become real assets for the football club. This signing shows that those players may already be in our building.
“Having scoured the market in terms of recruitment, we know what players are and aren’t out there. To have a player with Tanto’s pace and power with the ability to get better, bearing in mind he scored 20 goals last season, is really exciting and really difficult to replace.
“Can he improve? Absolutely, and it’s our job as coaches and his job as a player to ensure that happens. Not only is he someone who affects our team in the pitch in a positive way, but he’s also a brilliant person, fits in with everyone and is a pleasure to work with every day. You can see that in his game and that will never change. Next season will be a new challenge, but to have secured him for the next three years at least is a great message for all.”
