Vale sign Hackford & Richards as Saints land Dipepa

Rico Richards made 11 appearances out on loan at Stockport County last season, helping the Hatters win the League Two title

Port Vale took their haul of summer signings to 16 as they made two deadline-day loan signings - Sheffield United striker Antwoine Hackford and Aston Villa midfielder Rico Richards.

The two 20-year-olds have both joined on season-long loans - while two players have left.

Teenage forward Baylee Dipepa, 17, has joined Premier League club Southampton's academy for a substantial undisclosed fee.

Vale also allowed Belgian midfielder Funso Ojo, 33, to join League One side Shrewsbury Town on loan for the season earlier in the evening.

Antwoine Hackford has made three senior appearances for Sheffield United

Hackford spent the second half of last season on loan in League One at Burton Albion.

He became the youngest-ever Premier League player in 2021 at the age of 16 years and 288 days when he played for the Blades against Crystal Palace - a record that has since been broken by Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri in 2022.

Richards joined Villa last September after signing from West Bromwich Albion. He spent the second half of last season on loan with Stockport County, helping them to the League Two title.

Vale, relegated in April, have made an indifferent start to the new League Two season, having won only once in three games.