Goalkeeper Aidan Stone leaves Port Vale to join Notts County
Port Vale have confirmed that goalkeeper Aidan Stone has completed a permanent move to League Two newcomers Notts County.
Stone has been in and out of the Vale first-team since joining in the summer of 2021. He was between the sticks during Vale’s famous play-off final win at Wembley and indeed helped the club to that game thanks to his heroics in the semi-final penalty shootout win over Swindon Town.
The Valiants completed the signing of Connor Ripley this week and Vale Director of Football David Flitcroft says that Stone’s move is in order to secure first-team football with Stone unlikely to supplant Ripley.
Flitcroft told the official Port Vale website: “We’d like to thank Aidan for the time he has spent at Vale Park and wish him nothing but success for the future. The move away from the club is ultimately what is best for him as he looks to fulfil his desire to compete for first-team football.
“He has been extremely professional throughout his time here and worked hard on his development behind the scenes to give himself the best chance of personal and team success.”
Stone has started both his seasons at the club as back-up, firstly to Lucas Covolan and then to loanee Jack Stevens but to his credit he ended both seasons as first-choice after battling his way back into the side. In total, he made 54 first-team appearances for the club.
Aidan Stone is carried aloft after the penalty shootout win over Swindon Town