Ryan Croasdale

Ryan Mark Croasdale (born 26 September 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Port Vale.

Croasdale joined Preston North End in 2003 and captained the youth team before turning professional in May 2013, signing a one-year contract at PNE.

[4] He made his first-team debut at the age of 19 in a Football League Trophy tie against Oldham Athletic at Deepdale, featuring for 45 minutes in a 2–0 defeat on 8 October.

In February 2014, Croasdale made the switch to Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic on a loan deal for the remainder of the 2013–14 campaign.

[17] On 19 August 2016, Croasdale opted to join National League North side Kidderminster Harriers on a non-contract basis following a successful trial game.

[29] On 22 June 2018, Croasdale joined National League side AFC Fylde on a three-year deal for a club record fee of £50,000 after handing in a transfer request at Kidderminster.

[35] Following victory over Solihull Moors in the semi-finals, Croasdale played in the 2019 National League play-off final defeat to Salford City at Wembley Stadium.

[38] In January 2020, Croasdale credited his upturn in form to the new manager, Jim Bentley, who permitted him to advance and make runs into the opposition penalty area.

[38][40] Croasdale left AFC Fylde after refusing to agree to a pay cut during the COVID-19 pandemic in England and was branded by the club as "the unacceptable face of football" as they stated he had exploited the situation to "engineer a move away".

[46] He formed a "formidable midfield three" alongside Will Collar and Antoni Sarcevic under new manager Dave Challinor, who had previously coached him at AFC Fylde.

[49] Stockport defeated Salford City in the semi-finals of the League Two play-offs despite Croasdale missing his penalty kick in the shoot-out at Edgeley Park.

[48] On 17 June 2024, Croasdale agreed on a two-year deal with the recently relegated League Two side Port Vale, becoming manager Darren Moore's second signing of the summer.

[54] He then lost his place due to illness, though was returned to the side against Notts County at the start of October and impressed in the absence of George Byers.