Everton defender Ryan Astley will spend the season with Accrington Stanley after joining the League One club on loan.
The Wales youth international captained Everton's Under-23s side last season. And, after an impressive 2021-22 campaign, he will now continue his development in East Lancashire under Stanley manager John Coleman.
Astley is primarily a centre-back but he can also play at full-back. He made his debut for the Blues' Under-23s at just 16 years of age and went on to be named the team's player of the season.
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The 20-year-old has been part of first-team squads at Goodison Park, making the bench for the FA Cup win over Boreham Wood last season, and he has regularly trained with the seniors at Finch Farm. And he will now get experience of first-team football at Accrington.
Their manager Coleman told the club's official website: "Ryan has got a good pedigree, he has represented Wales at Under-21 level and has captained Everton’s Under-23s.
“We need a solid defender and Ryan ticks all the boxes. He is a nice lad and I think he gets what Accrington is all about. I am hoping for big things from him.”
Astley, who is under contract at Goodison Park until the summer of 2023, added: "I am delighted to sign. I was looking forward to a change of environment, I think I needed that at this time in my career, and the lads are class, they have all welcomed me and it’s been really good. I am looking forward to playing games where three points are on the line week in, week out."
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