"Get your money on them" - Stockport County tipped for promotion if summer deal is done | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit discussed Ollie Norwood being on trial at Stockport County after leaving the Blades

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Stockport County have been tipped to win promotion from League One if they are able to complete a deal to sign free agent Ollie Norwood.

Norwood has been on trial with Stockport and featured in their recent pre-season friendly against Blackburn Rovers, meaning he could be someone that the club sign to bolster Dave Challinor's squad.

The Northern Irish international is a free agent after leaving Sheffield United in the summer after six years at Bramall Lane, and despite being past his prime as a 33-year-old, he still has a lot to offer in the EFL, especially after playing regularly in the Premier League last season.

The Hatters are preparing for life in League One after winning the League Two title last season, and Norwood being on trial at Edgeley Park suggests that Challinor is looking to add an experienced head to his ranks.

Stockport County, Ollie Norwood promotion claim made

No one is better placed to talk about Norwood's quality than Sheffield United fans after he made 252 appearances for the club, and our Blades fan pundit Jimmy, from Blades Ramble, believes that if Stockport are able to sign the 33-year-old they could win promotion from League One.

Speaking to Football League World, Jimmy said: "If Stockport County get a deal for Ollie Norwood over the line, get your money on them to go up.

“He’s a Championship cheat code, and he’s not in his prime he’s in the back end of his career now, but for the position he plays, and he doesn’t necessarily need to be box-to-box, he’s like a quarterback, so whilst he’s struggled at Premier League level, he’s always been an outstanding Championship player.

“I’m amazed he’s not got a Championship move. If Stockport County can get him in League One, then that’s one of the signings of the season. League One signing of the season it has to be.

“Good luck to Ollie, I hope he finds a good club and more power to Stockport if they’re able to get that deal over the line.”

A newly promoted League One side signing a player with two Championship promotions and 97 Premier League appearances under his belt would be a statement of intent that the Hatters mean business.

The club have been on an upward trajectory in recent seasons, having won promotion from the National League in 2022, before finishing in the League Two play-offs and then winning the League Two title last season, and signing someone like Norwood could help take them to the next step.

The Hatters have a young squad – someone like Norwood would add some much-needed experience and nous, while he also has a lot to offer as a player.

Whilst he isn't in his prime anymore, the Northern Irish international isn't too old at 33 and was playing regularly in the Premier League last season so he could almost certainly do a job in the Championship.

A move to Edgeley Park could well appeal to Norwood as it would be a completely fresh start away from the top two tiers of English football, and he may relish the chance to join an exciting project at Stockport, where he'd be one of the leaders in Challinor's side.

League One looks a really strong league this season with some very good sides in the division, but signing Norwood would make Stockport's third tier rivals sit up and take notice.

It's an exciting time to be a Stockport fan, and signing Norwood would be a very welcome boost.