Bohs complete loan signing of Reading defender Holzman

Bohemians have signed defender Louie Holzman on loan from Reading until the end of the season

The 19-year-old centre-back will go straight into the matchday squad for Friday's Premier Division game against UCD should be receive international clearance.

Bohs boss Declan Devine said: "We are delighted to bring Louie in. He is someone we wanted to bring to the club in January so I am really pleased to get him in now.

"We have tracked his progress and development over many months now and I believe we have got a very talented player with a lot of potential

"We lost three defenders this window with the loans of Grant Horton, Jay Benn and Drew Baker coming to an end, so it was really important that we strengthened our options in defence.

"We don’t just want cover, we want competition for places and I believe we will have that with Louie, and also with the return of Cian Byrne - who did so fantastically well when he played against Shelbourne last week - from his loan spell with Longford.

"Louie is highly rated at Reading. He has come through their academy, has been training with their first-team squad, and has already tasted first-team football with them in the FA Cup last year.

"He is a really welcome addition to the squad, he has looked good in training, and we are really looking forward to working with him and getting him up to speed."