The 25-year-old has signed a contract at Edgeley Park until 2023 following a six-month spell at Vale Park, and after helping Hartlepool United gain promotion to the Football League last season.

He had signed for Pools in September 2020 from National League North side Kidderminster Harriers. He had signed for Harriers initially in June 2018 on a six-month loan deal from Stevenage and then made the move a permanent one in January 2019.

He has previously spent time on loan with Boreham Wood, St Albans City and Nuneaton Town, where he spent the second half of the 2017/18 season.

Additionally, the left-footed centre-back has played at international youth level for Northern Ireland’s under-21s, picking up 11 caps.

First-Team manager Dave Challinor told https://www.stockportcounty.com: “I’m absolutely delighted to get Ryan in the building. He’s someone I’ve worked with previously, so we know each other and I’m really looking forward to working with him again.

“I know what he can add, and he knows my expectations and how I work. I feel he developed as a player in the last stint with me, and I really think there’s plenty of scope for more improvement. He’s a powerful, naturally left-sided defender who will undoubtedly add to the quality we already have in the group.

“Most importantly, he knows the level, knows what it takes to be successful, has been promoted from this division and can move forward with the club on our journey”.