FOOTBALL: SOLIHULL Moors have completed the double loan signing of highly-rate Birmingham City starlets Connal Trueman and Dan Cleary.
Goalkeeper Trueman and defender Cleary will stay at The Automated Technology Group Stadium until January 2 2018.
Birmingham-born Trueman is a hot prospect who has risen through the Blues Academy and was rewarded with a new three-year contract in May.
A regular for Blues U23s, the 21-year-old is on the cusp of Harry Redknapp’s first-team having made the bench for a host of Sky Bet Championship fixtures last season as back up to Tomasz Kusczak and Adam Legzdins.
Moors boss McDonald said he was delighted to bring in Connal to his side.
He added: “We’ve been in talks with the view to bringing him to the Moors for a few weeks so we’re pleased to finally get our man.
“He was outstanding for Blues U23s last season as was proven by the club handing him a new long-term deal recently.
“We’re looking forward to playing a major part in the next stage of his development.”
Meanwhile centre-half Cleary joined Blues last summer having spent five years at Liverpool’s Academy.
The Dublin-born defender is highly-thought having won caps for the Republic of Ireland at U15, U17, U19 and U21 level.
Despite an injury-hit first season at Birmingham, the 21-year-old – who made Liverpool’s first-team squad during his time at Anfield – still managed to impress at U23 level to have a one-year contract option implemented.
McDonald said: “Dan will be a great addition to the squad having represented his country all through the youth levels.
“He’s a big, strong lad who is technically gifted and will add quality to our defence.
“I’d like to thank Birmingham City and also our own Mark Fogarty for helping to make both of these loan deals happen.
“It’s further evidence of the strong relationship we enjoy with all of our local Premier League and Football League clubs through these mutually-beneficial arrangements.”
