Review: Stockport County Sign Leeds United Midfielder on Free Transfer Following MK Dons Loan

The 21-year-old was released by Leeds United at the end of the 2023/24 season, three years after joining from Chelsea. A former England youth international, Lewis Bate was once considered one of the brightest prospects at Elland Road.

Despite making several senior appearances and featuring in the Premier League, Bate failed to secure a regular spot in the first team. Loan spells at Oxford United and Milton Keynes Dons followed before he was permanently let go.

Bate now has a chance to revitalize his career at Edgeley Park, signing a three-year contract. Stockport County had previously targeted him in January, but he chose to join MK Dons instead.

Stockport’s manager, Dave Challinor, commented: “Lewis is a player we tried to sign in January, but it didn’t work out. We kept monitoring his situation, and when we learned Leeds were releasing him, we quickly renewed our interest.

“We’ve had to be patient since there was interest from higher leagues, but our patience has paid off. We believe our team’s biggest improvement will come from a ball-playing midfielder who can handle tight spaces, create space, play forward, and drive forward when needed.

“Lewis excels in all these areas and will be crucial to our development. For him personally, he aims to return to the Premier League and Championship, and we believe he has every chance to achieve that.”

Stockport County has experienced a rapid ascent in recent years, moving from the National League North to League One. Last season, they were crowned League Two champions.

The club’s director of football, Simon Wilson, stated: “We have pursued Lewis since before January, and I’m thrilled we finally secured him. Lewis is a superb footballer who will complement our current squad and meet all our requirements for his position. His best years are ahead, and we are certain some of those will be spent here at Edgeley Park.”

Bate’s arrival is seen as a significant boost for Stockport County, who continue to build a competitive squad capable of sustaining their upward momentum. Both Challinor and Wilson are confident that Bate’s skills and potential will play a key role in the team’s future successes, as they aim to climb even higher in the football league pyramid.