Stalybridge Celtic have signed promising teenage full-back Freddie Walker following his release from Stockport County.
The 18-year-old featured several times for James Kinsey’s side in pre-season, as well as coaching Walker for the past year in County’s academy, where he won last season’s Players’ Player of the Year award.
“Technically, he is one of the best players we have in our group,” Kinsey told the club’s website. “He is still young though and there are areas of his game that we’ll work on.”
Despite impressing in his brief time at Bower Fold, the defender has been brought in with one eye on the future.
“He needs minutes and will probably go on a dual-reg while topping up minutes with our U21s,” said Kinsey. “But he gives us a different type of option at full-back and he will play his part for us this season.”
The manager isn’t the only person Walker knows from his time at Stockport Sports Village, as Celtic’s captain Liam Tongue is a one of County's academy teachers.