It is understood that Stockport County defender Jid Okeke is set to depart the club at the end of the season to join German outfit SV Waldhof Mannheim on a free transfer, Pete O’Rourke reports.
The 21-year-old German defender was on loan at Walsall during the first half of the season before being recalled and then re-joined the Saddlers at the end of the window.
He originally came through the St. Pauli academy and left there in 2018 before moving to Oldham – where he didn’t make a senior appearance and then moved to Stockport in 2023, but has only started two league games and has endured five loan spells since his move.
After eight years since Okeke departed Germany for English football, he has struggled for game time – however gained lots of valuable non-league experience from loans before making his first EFL loan to Walsall in the summer.
It is likely he will be more settled upon his return to his home country and will gain more experience playing in the German pyramid under former Luxembourg manager Luc Holtz.
Following two disappointing seasons prior to the 25/26 season, Waldhof are set to return to being a high-end mid-table side and continue to build as they look forwards to promotion to the 2. Bundesliga
Following this news, many fans were disappointed that the club would see a future prospect of the club be let go for free, especially if County fail to get promoted out of League One as he would be a valuable squad player.
The 21-year-old has not featured much for his parent club since his arrival in 2023 which may be one of the real reasons for his departure and manager Dave Challinor may not view him as part of his plans.
