Exclusive: Stockport County and Hartlepool United eyeing 26-year-old as first summer signing | OneFootball

Joel Coleman is an early summer transfer target for both Hartlepool United and Stockport County, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

County bulldozed their way to the top of the National League this season, and even caught the eye with an epic FA Cup victory over League One’s Bolton Wanderers, after appointing Dave Challinor as manager approaching the season’s halfway stage.

With number one goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe approaching the end of his contract at Edgeley Park, as per Transfermarkt, County will be looking to strengthen that department in preparation for the new season.

Challinor’s former club Hartlepool United are set to enter a transfer tussle with County as was exclusively revealed to Football League World this morning.

A source close to the situation named journeyman EFL goalkeeper Joel Coleman as a target for both clubs and provided the following statement on the player.

“Hartlepool and League Two new boys Stockport County are interested in free agent goalkeeper Joel Coleman following his departure from Rochdale.

“The 26-year-old, who has played in all four leagues in England, is leaving Rochdale following the expiration of his contract.”

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Coleman kept five clean sheets for Rochdale in the fourth tier this season, as Robbie Stockdale’s men gradually acclimatised to the step down a division.

The 26-year-old’s sole Premier League appearance came for Huddersfield Town on the final day of the 2018/19 season, the Terriers picked up a 1-1 away to Southampton with relegation back to the Championship already confirmed.

Coleman struggled for regular game time at Fleetwood Town in 2020/21 before making the move to Dale, where the former Oldham Athletic glovesman saw greater first team opportunities but ultimately was unable to nail down a starting spot ahead of the expiration of his contract at Spotland.