Stockport County leading transfer chase for 19-cap international | OneFootball

Stockport County are leading the race to complete their fourth signing of the summer window

Stockport County are leading the race to sign Arttu Hoskonen as a free agent.

According to MTV Urheilun, the League One side are closing in on the signature of the 28-year-old following his exit from Cracovia.

The defender is currently available without a club after departing the Polish side at the end of last season.

The centre-back is a Finland international with 19 caps to his name, but has no experience in English football.

Stockport eye Finland international

Stockport have reportedly made a contract offer to Hoskonen this summer as they look to build a team capable of promotion to the Championship.

Dave Challinor’s side narrowly missed out on promotion last year, coming third in the table before losing in the play-offs at the semi-final stages to Leyton Orient.

Hoskonen fell out of favour in his final months with Cracovia, which led to his departure from the club this summer.

This has now opened the door for Stockport to make an attempt to sign the 28-year-old, with the club believed to be leading the race.

However, terms of a deal have yet to be finalised at this stage, as talks continue over the details of a contract.

Hoskonen made just 13 appearances in the Ekstraklasa last season, with Cracovia finishing sixth in the table.

Stockport’s promotion ambitions

Stockport almost clinched back-to-back promotions last year, but their play-off defeat has left them in League One.

Challinor’s side have already added a few players in their bid to improve the squad for another promotion push in the next campaign.

Tayo Edun and Malik Morthersille have both arrived from Peterborough United, while Joseph Olowu has joined after his departure from Doncaster Rovers.

The Hatters will begin their League One season with a home clash against Bolton Wanderers on 3 August.

Hoskonen signing will be interesting for Stockport

Stockport are looking to add an experienced international defender to their ranks, which could have a lot of potential.

While the end of his time with Cracovia didn’t go so well, he still earned a place in the Finland national side in the summer.

A move to English football at this stage of his career could be quite an enticing prospect, and joining a club on the rise like Stockport will be tempting.

Given he is a free agent, there isn’t too much risk to a deal like this for the club, provided his salary is within reason, so this could be a risk worth taking for Stockport.