League One club confirm season-long loan for Manchester City goalkeeper

League One club confirm season-long loan for Manchester City goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff has made his next step up in the English Football League ladder, moving into another promotion-chasing environment. After executing a promotion-winning campaign with Rochdale in the National League, the highly-rated teenager is following his previous manager to Edgeley Park. Having kept 18 clean sheets during his debut campaign in senior men’s football, the England under-19 international is now part of a significant rebuild at Stockport County. Highly-rated Manchester City goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff has joined League One side Stockport County on loan for the forthcoming 2026/27 season, it has been confirmed. Whatmuff, who signed a professional contract at the Etihad Stadium in August 2025, has generated substantial interest across the Football League after a truly sensational breakout campaign in men’s senior football. The 18-year-old Lancaster-born goalkeeper enjoyed a strong year with National League side Rochdale , keeping 18 clean sheets across 39 league appearances and earning a thoroughly deserved spot in the National League Team of the Season. His spell at the Crown Oil Arena reached its crescendo in May when he produced a heroic, two-save performance during a play-off final penalty shootout against Boreham Wood at Wembley Stadium to secure promotion into the Football League. Having outgrown non-league circles and featured in the England under-19 international setup, Manchester City staff have moved swiftly to guarantee his exposure to a more demanding environment in League One . Whatmuff agrees to League One loan from Man City As confirmed by Stockport County , Manchester City Academy goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff will play his football in League One next season, reuniting with former Rochdale manager Jimmy McNulty at Edgeley Park. McNulty told Stockport’s official club website, “I’m absolutely delighted to bring Oliver to the club. Before working with him at my previous club, I believed he was an elite goalkeeper, and now after working with him for the season, that belief has only grown.” He continued, “He’s a super talent, with a blend of attributes both in and out of possession which will really help the team. But what stands out even more is his mindset. He’s a winner. His mentality is way beyond his years. That’s what excites me about him the most.  “I’m very grateful to Manchester City for trusting us with the next stage of Oliver’s career, and I’m really happy to have him join the County team.” Stockport’s Head of Goalkeeping, Ben Hinchliffe also said, “Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Ollie, Jimmy and all of the new staff on a fantastic season at Rochdale. Ollie comes in off the back of a great season personally, and I am very much looking forward to working with him. “I’ve spoken to Ollie and we’re both very excited about what this season looks like. He’s a very talented and driven young goalkeeper who can go on to play at the very highest level, so to secure his services is a great statement of intent in terms of what we aim to achieve this year.” What next for Whatmuff? Jimmy McNulty officially took charge at Edgeley Park on a three-year deal earlier this summer, returning to the club he represented as a player after leading Rochdale’s historic 106-point promotion push last campaign. With Stockport County firmly setting their sights on challenging at the sharp end of the League One table this year, the teenage goalkeeper will face intense competitive scrutiny as a guaranteed first-team figure. For Manchester City, this latest alignment represents the ideal next development phase for a player internally projected to contend for a senior role at the Etihad Stadium in the coming years, and perhaps the England national team.