Pickford Moves On Loan

Jordan Pickford will sample league football with Burton Albion next season as he moves to the Brewers on loan, although at this stage the length of the loan is unknown.

Having had previous spells at Darlington and and Alfreton Town, it represent's Pickford's first sampling of actual league football and should prove to be a very prosperous loan move for the highly-rated 'keeper.

Pickford's route to the first team at Sunderland seems relatively stifled at the moment with Vito Mannone and Keiren Westwood both ahead of him. However, with Westwood's contract expiring at the end of next season, if the England youth international can prove himself he might well end up Mannone's number two the following season.

It's certainly a move which will benefit him, as he still needs to grow and learn before he's ready for the first team despite some impressive performances for the youths and reserves.

Brewers boss Gary Rowett commented;

Jordan is a player of undoubted ability who I know is regarded very highly by the coaches at the Stadium of Light.

He's a player with great potential and in him and Dean Lyness we now have two talented young ‘keepers. It's a position that requires a lot of consideration and I believe Jordan has the attributes and temperament to be a really valuable addition to the squad.

Good luck to him, and we'll keep an eye on his progress.