Crawley Town sign Chelsea keeper Beeney on loan

Crawley Town will use their pre-season games to assess who will be their start in goal for the opening game of the season after adding their third goalkeeper to their squad.

Mitchell Beeney’s arrival on loan from Chelsea until January means Reds already have three goalkeepers competing for the starting position, along with Yusuf Mersin and Glenn Morris.

Head coach Dermot Drummy said: “All our keepers will have opportunities to play and we will hone them down as we get nearer the season.

“I am really pleased. I have known him since he was under-14 and he is the type of goalkeeper we are looking for.

“He’s very good with his feet to start the attacks for us.

“I think it will be great experience for him to come and play in Division 2 and compete for the position with Yusuf (Mersin).

“He’s had some great coaches but this is a good time in Mitchell’s life - he has just become a father. It’s a good lifestyle thing as he lives locally in Crawley Down.

“He’s progressed really well. He’s a stable young man. He’s a good team player and a good trainer and I have every confidence he will perform for us.”

Mitchell began his career with Gillingham’s youth academy, where he spent three years from 2004-07. He moved to Chelsea where he became a pivotal member of the Under-18 squad, and was promoted to the Under-21 squad soon after.

Mitchell then went on loan to Newport County at the start of this year, where he made four appearances in League 2.

Beeney was named on the bench as an unused substitute for Chelsea’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in April.

He was also a substitute for Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon at Stamford Bridge in December 2014 and won the UEFA Youth League with the Blues two years ago.

Drummy added: “I know Mitch well from my time at Chelsea and he is a great addition to our squad. He’s got lots of experience at under-21 level both here and overseas but he needs to get Football League experience and this is his opportunity, to fight with Yusif Mersin and of course Glenn Morris for the goalkeeper’s spot.

“We look forward to seeing him next week when we report back for pre-season and to him making a big contribution for us next season.”

Here are Crawley Townn’s fixtures for the 2016/17 season

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