Reds sign ‘tenacious’ Fulham defender on loan

Liam Donnelly, left, in action for Fulham against Crawley Town during their pre-season friendly on July 18, 2015 SUS-150731-165852002

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Crawley Town have signed ‘tenacious’ young Fulham defender Liam Donnelly on a month’s loan.

The 19-year-old is Reds’ fifth signing this week and will provide cover at the back due to ongoing injury problems under a youth loan deal.

Donnelly, who has one Northern Ireland cap, has played mostly for the Craven Cottage side’s youth team having joined them from Irish League side Dungannon Swifts.

He netted the third goal for his parent club when they won 3-0 at the Checkatrade.com Stadium earlier this month.

Crawley Town FC V Fulham FC 18/7/15 (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-153724008

Reds boss Mark Yates said: “With Lanre Oyebanjo out until October we need cover in the right-back position and Liam is a player we have had on our radar for a while.

He’s as tenacious defender but also good on the ball and, as we discovered when we played Fulham a few weeks ago, he can score the odd goal as well!

“We’re delighted to have him with us and I’d like to thank Kit Symons and everyone at Fulham for making it possible.”

Donnelly will go straight into the squad ahead of their final pre-seaon friendly at Whitehawk tomorrow.

Crawley Town V Reading 27/7/15 (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150728-084905008

Under the rules of the youth loan, the player will still be allowed to train with Fulham and play reserve-team matches for the League One side.

His loan expires on August 27.

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