Stockport County are set to win the race for goalkeeper Jordan Smith on a free transfer following his release from Nottingham Forest, reports Alan Nixon on his Patreon.
The ambitious summer continues at Edgeley Park, with the Hatters set to make Smith their fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Billy Chadwick, Ibou Touray and Nick Powell as they look to win promotion this season after their narrow defeat on penalties to Carlisle United in the League Two Play-Off Final last season.
Who is Jordan Smith?
Smith has spent his entire career to date at Forest, having joined their academy at the age of seven, having grown up in South Normanton.
He first had loan spells at Ilkeston Town and Nuneaton Borough, he made his professional debut for his boyhood club in February 2017, coming on as a substitute for Stephen Henderson in the 23rd minute in a game against Norwich City.
He became first-choice for the club since that day, going on to make 48 further appearances for the club. He kept his first clean-sheet for his boyhood club in a in a 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic.
Forest guaranteed safety from relegation to League One with victory against Ipswich Town at the expense of Blackburn Rovers, Smith made two vital saves during the game which manager at the time Mark Warburton described as “world-class”
Further loan spells followed at Barnsley and Mansfield Town before he returned to Forest and made a further 6 appearances before a loan-spell at Huddersfield Town towards the back-end of last season.
He was released by Forest this summer, bringing a 22-year association with the club to an end.
Writer’s View
Stockport look set to be one of the early favourites to win League Two this year and Smith joining their ranks will give them a fantastic option to compete with Ben Hinchcliffe. The Hatters have already made an astute signing with Ibou Touray joining from Salford in defence, so adding Smith will bolster their defence. The League Two title race could be the most interesting to watch in English football this year.
