Stockport County have completed the loan signing of defender Ethan Bristow until the end of the 2023/24 campaign, as confirmed via a statement on the club’s website.
The 22-year-old is currently contracted to MLS side Minnesota, after joining them from fellow League Two side Tranmere Rovers on a free transfer during the summer transfer window.
During the 2023 MLS campaign, Bristow made 12 appearances for Minnesota in all competitions and made his debut for the club in early August during a penalty shoot-out victory against Columbus Crew in the first round of the League Cup.
He also made 51 appearances for Tranmere Rovers during the 2022/23 campaign, scoring once during a 3-0 victory against Gillingham.
Bristow has moved to Stockport County on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 EFL season but won’t be able to join the club until the transfer window opens on Monday when he is expected to receive international clearance to play for Dave Challinor’s side.
Stockport County currently have a strong defensive line, including the likes of Ibou Touray and Alfie Pond who arrived during the summer transfer window from Salford City (permanent) and Wolves (loan).
Heading into this Friday’s League Two clash against an in-form Bradford City side, the club sit four points ahead of Wrexham in second and six ahead of Barrow who occult the fourth-placed spot in the division.
Upon confirmation of the transfer, Stockport County manager Dave Challinor told the club’s website…
“We’re delighted to be able to secure bringing Ethan to the club; there are so many positives to the move from our perspective.
“We were obviously in a situation where we needed to immediately replace Ibby for the period he will miss due to the African Cup of Nations and it’s a position where we had no real depth with Ryan Rydel being out for the season with his ACL injury.”
Writer’s View
Bristow had an outstanding season with Tranmere Rovers last season and earned a huge move to the MLS in the summer window but has now returned in the hope of earning a title winners medal with Stockport.
Stockport do have several defensive options but Bristow adds something different and unique to the defensive line moving into the second half of the season.