Stockport County have brought Luca Ashby-Hammond back to the club on a one-year deal, adding a familiar face to their squad after the goalkeeper’s spell at Plymouth Argyle.
The 25-year-old spent time on loan with the Hatters during their National League title-winning 2021-22 season, and this move gives him the chance to return to a club where he already knows the environment. It is a straightforward squad-strengthening move, but one that carries a clear sense of continuity for Stockport County.
A return to familiar surroundings
Ashby-Hammond joined Plymouth Argyle from Fulham in July 2025 and went on to make 18 League One appearances last season before being released at the end of the campaign. He also made 24 appearances for the Pilgrims overall, leaving him with a season of senior football behind him before this return to Stockport County.
For the goalkeeper, the move is about rebuilding momentum as much as anything else. “I remember playing in front of the fans last season for Plymouth, and the atmosphere was always fantastic, so I'm very much looking forward to being on the home side this year,” he said. “I'm looking forward to helping the team achieve its goal.”
Why this makes sense for Stockport County
For Stockport County, this is the sort of signing that fits a squad-rebuild period: experienced enough to be trusted, familiar enough to settle quickly, and available on a one-year deal that keeps the commitment clear. It is not a debut signing in the dramatic sense, but it is still a useful one for a team that knows the value of reliability.
There is also a wider feeling that the summer is already about more than simple fitness work, with Bristol City vs Stockport County in Spain showing that this pre-season carries a competitive edge too. In that context, bringing back a goalkeeper who has already lived through a successful spell at the club looks like another move designed to keep standards high.
For Ashby-Hammond, the next step is simple: settle in quickly, fight for his place, and help Stockport County push towards their goals once again.
