Stockport to Loan Okeke Back To Walsall Just Weeks After Recall

Total(ly Pointless) Recall: Jid Okeke to Make Walsall Return Just Weeks After Stockport Cut Deal

21-year old winger Jid Okeke is set to return to League Two Walsall on loan for the rest of the season, just weeks after Stockport recalled him from the very same club, according to Football Insider's Pete O'Roarke.

The young German made 18 apperances for the Saddlers in the first half of the season, managing one goal and one assist during his loan spell, with both contributions coming in EFL Cup fixtures.

Stockport County defender Jid Okeke is set to return to Walsall on loan. Okeke was recalled from his loan at Walsall by Stockport last month, but now he will return to spend the second half of the season at the League Two clubs. #stockportcounty #walsall #DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/ViPu2QhrkD

— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) February 2, 2026

Despite only being recalled by Stockport a few weeks ago, the Hatters have decided that he is once again surplus to requirement in the short term, and are prepared to let him return to Walsall to see out the 25/26 campaign in the midlands.

Poor Planning from Stockport?

It seems unusual for a club to send someone back out on loan just weeks after recalling them, especially when they return to the same club they were already at. Okeke was certainly getting enough game time in League Two, so perhaps they just weren't expecting to have as much depth on the wings.

What has likely triggered the move is the fact that they are chasing the signature of Louie Barry for a third time, which means Okeke, should the loan transfer from Villa go through, would be pointless to have about as he wouldn't feature.

Louie Barry is set to rejoin Stockport County on loan. 22yo has been back at #AVFC recovering from a knee injury, but Stockport prepared to help return to fitness and hope he can make an impact in the club's quest for League One promotion. @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/oaZ0Sg0F1R

— Jacob Tanswell (@J_Tanswell) February 2, 2026

They also seem keen to keep Jack Diamond despite attempts from Luton, having already rejected a bid worth £750k for the Englishman. It appears that they will only let him go if Luton can match their £1.5 million valuation.

Should the deal go ahead, Okeke will have the task of helping Walsall return to their early-season form that saw them challenging for the title, as they have since slipped down the table and into seventh, 10 points off top spot.

They'll still be chasing automatic promotion, as they sit only three points behind Salford in third, and should be able to achieve at least a play-off spot, with a gap of four points between themselves and eighth placed Chesterfield.

Anything less than play-offs would be a monumental disappointment from Mat Sadler's side, so they'll be hoping that Okeke can bolster their squad once again.