‘What a signing’ – Charlie Austin blown away as West Brom youngster exits on loan
West Brom have confirmed that a loan deal has been agreed for goalkeeper Josh Griffiths to spend the season at Cheltenham Town.
Albion announced on their official website and Twitter account on Thursday that the 18-year-old will team up with fellow Baggies youngster Finn Azaz at the League Two club after he joined them on loan a couple of weeks ago.
West Brom add on their website that Griffiths’ loan agreement with Cheltenham includes the option for him to be recalled in January.
Baggies centre-forward Charlie Austin has since taken to Twitter to react to the news and it is clear that he rates Griffiths highly.
He wrote: “What a signing this is for Cheltenham. Duffo (Cheltenham manager Michael Duff), this lap is top, top.”
Griffiths’ loan move to Cheltenham will be his first opportunity to earn vital first-team experience as he’s never made a senior appearance in his career so far.
However, the England youth international has shown that even though he’s only 18, he’s able to hold his own while playing for the Under-23s.
Last season saw the teenage shot-stopper make six appearances in Premier League 2 and keep an impressive five clean sheets in the process.
Only West Ham’s Under-23s were able to score against him – and they finished top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table.
Cheltenham have got themselves a fine young goalkeeper and it is encouraging for the Baggies that GloucestershireLive report that he’s going to be number one choice when next season starts.
Cheltenham’s usual number one Scott Flinders is currently out until January with a broken leg so it is a good idea of West Brom’s to include that recall clause as Griffiths might drop down the pecking order when Flinders is fit again.
In other West Brom news, Atletico Madrid are set to sign one of Bilic’s targets.
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