[themaclad]

Stockport County have released captain Liam Hogan after sealing their return to the English Football League.

The 33-year-old defender made 36 appearances this season as the Hatters won the National League title.

Defenders Lois Maynard, 33, and Jamie Stott, 24, and midfielder Tom Walker, 26, have also been released.

Goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe, 33, defender Ash Palmer, 29 and forward Myles Hippolyte, 27, have all been offered new deals.

"I was brought into the club with the objective of getting back into the Football League - from that point of view it's mission accomplished and I can honestly say that I'm leaving with a smile on my face," Hogan told the club website.

"Being captain of this great club is something I won't ever forget."

[themaclad]

Stockport County winger Myles Hippolyte has signed a new two-year-deal with the National League champions.

The 27-year-old joined County from League Two Scunthorpe on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

He made 20 appearances in all competitions for Dave Challinor's side.

"Myles is an athletic and technical player that fits our way of playing, and has the versatility to perform a number of roles," said Stockport director of football Simon Wilson.

"Following his excellent contribution, and having made a home at County, we are delighted to secure Myles for an additional two years where we hope and expect the relationship to go from strength to strength."

Stockport finished last term top of the fifth tier and will return to the Football League for the first time in 11 years next season.

[themaclad]

Stockport County midfielder Ryan Croasdale has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.

The 27-year-old's deal was due to expire at the end of next season.

Croasdale made 49 appearances last season and started all 44 games of the Hatters' National League title-winning campaign.

He moved to the Greater Manchester club in September 2020 from AFC Fylde, having spent two seasons at Kidderminster Harriers.

"Ryan is somebody who embodies the phrase 'deeds not words'," director of football Simon Wilson told the club's website.

"You'll rarely hear much from him as he goes about his business but he has been perhaps the most consistent performer in the last two seasons.

"He is always available to train or play, and has a relentless work ethic which has helped the team dictate and dominate games.

"We're delighted to extend Ryan's stay with us and secure these attributes for a further two years.

[themaclad]

Striker Kyle Wootton has signed for Stockport after rejecting a new contract at Notts County.

Wootton, 25, has agreed a three-year deal with the Hatters and is their first signing since they were recently promoted back to the Football League.

His contract at Meadow Lane expires this summer and he has opted to move on after three years with the Magpies.

"We feel as a team that we will play to his strengths," Stockport manager Dave Challinor told the club website.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that Kyle has agreed to join us and be part of what we are trying to achieve.

"He's been a long-term target for us, so to get this one over the line is brilliant."

[themaclad]

Stockport County have signed midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans on a free transfer from Torquay United.

Lemonheigh-Evans, 25, joined Torquay in 2018 and spent successive seasons on loan at the club before signing a permanent deal in 2020.

The attacking midfielder scored 11 goals in 39 appearances for the National League side last season.

Lemonheigh-Evans began his career with Bristol City's academy.

"I'm delighted that Connor has agreed to join the club. He's been a standout player in the National League over the last two to three seasons and was highly sought after this summer," said Stockport manager Dave Challinor.

"His motivation is to now thrive in the EFL, having worked so hard to earn his opportunity."

[themaclad]

Stockport County have signed midfielder Akil Wright on a two-year deal after his departure from York City.

The newly-promoted Hatters have added the 26-year-old to their squad, after he helped York to promotion from the National League North last term.

Former Barrow and Wrexham player Wright previously worked under County boss Dave Challinor on loan at Fylde.

"He is a player again at a great age that can develop," Challinor told the League Two club's website.

"We have looked extensively at profiles for an athletic, destroyer-type defensive midfielder and Akil has all of these attributes and more.

"He's probably been a victim of his athleticism in his career to date, having been played in most positions, but his last few years at York have seen him develop in that deep-lying role."

[themaclad]

Stockport County have signed Torquay United centre-back Joe Lewis on a two-year contract.

He moves to the Greater Manchester club for an undisclosed fee ahead of their English Football League return.

The 22-year-old Welshman made 41 National League appearances last season and can play in a number of positions across the back four.

Lewis scored six times in 2021-22 and was voted Torquay's young player of the season last term.

He is Stockport's fourth signing of the summer, joining Kyle Wootton, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Akil Wright in making the move to Edgeley Park.

"He is a young player with huge potential and really good experience for his age, and is one that we really feel will grow and continue to improve during his time with us," manager Dave Challinor told the club website.

"His performances and growth over the past two seasons have really stood out and we feel he will fit perfectly into how we want to play both in and out of possession."

Stockport won the National League to secure automatic promotion to League Two

[themaclad]

Stockport County defender Ash Palmer has agreed a new one-year deal as the club prepares for its return to the Football League.

The 29-year-old had a major role in helping County win the National League title, playing 45 matches last season.

His new contract will take him into a fifth season with the club he joined from Guiseley in 2018.

County's director of football Simon Wilson said Palmer had "grabbed his opportunity with both hands".

"He does everything off the pitch to give himself the best chance on it," Wilson added.

[themaclad]

Midfielder Will Collar has signed a new three-year deal with Stockport County to run to the summer of 2025.

The 25-year-old has scored 10 goals in 54 games for the Hatters since his move from Scottish side Hamilton Academical in February 2021.

He helped Dave Challinor's side win promotion to the English Football League as National League champions during the past campaign.

"For him to commit his long-term future to the club is huge," Challinor said.

"I really believe there is more to come from him and that he can play a big part in the club's journey over the next three years.

"His combination in that midfield area last season was huge in terms of our identity and the step up into the EFL is one we all think he'll take in his stride. We are all looking for another big contribution from him."

[themaclad]

Stockport County have signed Northampton Town defender Fraser Horsfall

Horsfall, 25, arrives on a free transfer and has also agreed a three-year contract.

"Over the past couple of seasons he's established himself as statistically the most dominant defender in League Two," said boss Dave Challinor.

Collar has scored 10 goals in 54 games since joining from Hamilton Academical.

He helped County win promotion to the English Football League as National League champions last season.