Trinity Borrow Young Blades Keeper

....into the loan market, recruiting Jake Eastwood, a promising 20-year-old goalkeeper from Sky Bet League One side Sheffield United.

The ‘keeper comes from the same stable as recent signing, Welsh under-19, Ioan Evans and former loan signing CJ Hamilton.

He signs on an initial two-month loan deal,where he will compete with Jonathan Hedge for the number one spot.

Eastwood, has been included in a number of England goalkeeper training camps and continues to have his progress monitored by high level figures.

He steps up the levels he is looking to gain experience at, having impressed during a similar deal at Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South side Sheffield FC last season, where he picked up back-to-back player of the month awards.

Now looking to compete at National League North level, Eastwood is determined to make his mark: “I have spoken to a couple of the lads that have been at Gainsborough and they speak very highly of the club. It’s great that there’s a familiar face, as I am sure that will help me settle, but I am just looking forward to buckling down and e1arning the gloves come August 6th and then putting in performances that ensure I keep the shirt.”

Roma was keen to point out: “I have always stated my desire to have two goalkeepers at the club – and following discussions with the Sheffield United goalkeeper coach, Darren Ward – I was impressed with what he had to say, as he rates him highly. Martin Foster was Chris Wilder’s captain during their time together at Halifax and that link has proved invaluable in getting the deal over the line.”

Both goalkeepers have excellent pedigree, with Hedge having represented England C earlier in his career and was part of the successful Halifax side that rose through the leagues as a phoenix side, but it is now up to the two ‘keepers to stake a claim for a starting berth come the season opener.

“We haven’t been given stipulations regarding who plays, so it will be really competitive between Jake and Hedgey to make the number one jersey their own for the start of the season”.