AN expected player exodus from administration-hit Stockport County has begun.
Wide-man Tommy Rowe, aged 20, has left Edgeley Park after signing a three-year deal with newly-promoted Championship side Peterborough United.
The deal was completed on Tuesday, so Rowe becomes the first of what is expected to be many departures from the League One strugglers.
Stockport's administrators Leonard Curtis said in a prepared statement: "Given the club's perilous financial position, this sale has been necessary to raise the funds which will be required to pay ongoing critical trading costs, including wages.
"A number of expressions of interest in the club have been made to Leonard Curtis and some very positive preliminary discussions have already taken place.
"We remain confident that significant progress can be made and we wish Tommy every success at his new club."
Rowe made a total of 85 league and cup appearances for the Hatters since joining the club’s Centre of Excellence as a 14-year-old. He scored 13 goals since making his debut for the club in a 4-1 FA Cup defeat at Watford in January, 2007.
Rowe said: "Peterborough are a club going places, we are in the Championship and the manager Darren Ferguson is very highly-rated and I am looking forward to working with him.
"I can play in a number of different positions and I just can't wait to get started in pre-season."