Stockport County have announced the signing of Joseph Olowu, who won League Two last season with Doncaster Rovers, as per the club’s official website.
Olowu becomes the Hatters’ first signing of the summer as Dave Challinor’s men look to bounce back from playoff heartbreak and secure promotion from League One next season.
Olowu’s Career To Date
The centre-back came through the youth system at Arsenal. He played multiple times for their under-18 and under-21 sides, including in the UEFA Youth League, but he never made a senior appearance for the Gunners.
The Nigeria-born man’s first spell in senior football came with Cork City in the Republic of Ireland. He made 15 league appearances and scored one goal for the Rebels as they finished bottom of the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Olowu then joined Wealdstone on loan for the second half of the 2020/21 campaign, making 13 appearances for the Stones as they finished in 19th place in the National League.
He was released by Arsenal at the end of the season and, after two appearances for Manchester United’s youth team, he joined Doncaster Rovers in September 2021 on a short-term deal until January 2022.
The young defender impressed in his first few games with the Rovers, earning him an extended stay with the South Yorkshire club.
His first season in the EFL saw him make 35 league appearances and score four goals in League One, but he could not save his new team from relegation.
Olowu has gone on to make 85 appearances and score four goals for the Rovers in League Two. He was one of Grant McCann’s star men last campaign before a thigh injury meant that his season ended in March.
Why Stockport County?
Dave Challinor has recently signed a new three-year contract with the Hatters, signifying his intent to get them into the Championship after they fell short in the playoffs last season.
Stockport spent a considerable amount of time in the automatic promotion places, but the loss of Louie Barry in January, he was recalled by parent club Aston Villa, saw them have a slightly more difficult second half of the season.
The Hatters have lost a lot of defensive options in the early weeks of the summer window. Fraser Horsfall turned down a new contract in Greater Manchester and opted to sign for Blackpool, Brad Hills returned to Norwich City upon the expiration of his loan deal and Kyle Knoyle was released.
This leaves Challinor desperately short of options if he wants to continue employing his favoured back three system.
Writer’s View
Olowu is a very talented defender who is capable of playing in either the centre or on the right of a back three, as well as at full-back if need be, and he is an excellent signing for Stockport. If there was one area in which they needed to slightly improve from last season, it would be keeping clean sheets.
He is a well-rounded defender and his technical ability is excellent, meaning he could be utilised in a variety of roles by Challinor.
Additionally, he has already excelled in the third tier in the past and now he is older and more experienced, it should allow him to be one of the best defenders in League One.
