Burton Albion have completed the signing of striker Cole Stockton from Morecambe on a two-year deal, confirmed on the club’s official website.
Stockton had spent the previous four years with Morecambe as well as enjoying two loan spells with the club in 2016. In total, the striker amassed 211 appearances for the Shrimps netting 70 goals alongside 16 assists, becoming the focal point of their attack in the last few seasons. Although his numbers were not where he would’ve wanted them to be last season, the striker went through a real purple patch at the back end of last season, scoring seven goals in his last four games.
The striker’s finest season to date came in the 2021/22 season where he scored 26 goals in League One. Those goals helped the 29-year-old clinch a spot in the League One Team of the year, as well as winning two Player of the Month awards across the campaign. Burton will be looking to get the same sort of goalscoring form out of Stockton when the next season rolls around.
Who is Cole Stockton?
Starting his career off with Tranmere Rovers, Stockton made 135 appearances for Rovers in two spells with the club. He gained experience through loans to Southport and Morecambe whilst trying to break into Tranmere’s first team. He would then move to Hearts and then Carlisle before returning to Tranmere in 2018.
A year later he would join Morecambe, where he has been the side’s talisman over the last few seasons. He will be a huge loss, therefore, for the Shrimps as they tackle League Two football. A classic centre-forward, Stockton’s hold-up play is one of his strongest assets, as well as being able to create chances out of nothing. Having been one of the better players in a poor Morecambe team who got relegated from League One last season, Stockton will looking to bounce back to his best with a new challenge at the Pirelli Stadium.
What’s been said?
When speaking about his first summer signing, manager Dino Maamria said:
“Cole Stockton is a fantastic forward who has developed over the years. I worked with him in 2015 at Southport and he’s proved himself to be a top Football League forward since then. His record in League One over the last two seasons is very good so we are delighted to have him.
“He’s a typical goal scorer. He makes things happen in the final third. If you give the ball to him, he will create and score goals without a shadow of a doubt. He will fit in well with the team we are looking to build.”
Upon joining the Brewers, Stockton said:
“I have been speaking to the manager on and off on the phone and just wanted to get it sorted as I’m excited by the challenge.
“I know about Burton, what kind of club they are and what the fans expect. I know what the club means to the local people and the fans that follow you home and away.
“I want to get going now; get through pre-season fit and strong and be prepared for the first game of the season.”
Writer’s View
If Stockton can find the level of form that he was playing at a couple of years ago, then this is a great piece of business by Burton. Having hit his best form at the end of last season, the Brewers will be hoping he starts this upcoming season in that same form.
If he does, he could prove to be pivotal to the successes of the club. Having already proven his worth in League One, Stockton should be able to add plenty more goals to his career tally next season.
