Stoke City defender joins Airdrie on loan

Airdrieonians have strengthened their squad ahead of today's Championship clash with Queen's Park, following the arrival of defender Luke Badley-Morgan on loan from Stoke City.

The 20-year-old Jamaican U20 international defender is a former Chelsea youth player and made five appearances at the U20 CONCACAF Championships.

He arrives with the Diamonds having conceded 11 goals in their last two games and the club will hope he can help steady the ship at the back.

The left-sided centre-back told the club website: “It’s been going on for a couple of weeks to get me out here, but finally it’s done and I’m happy to be here. I’ve heard it’s a great division to play in and a great club to play for, so I just want to get started and get the feel of it.

“I’d say I’m a ball-playing centre-half. Obviously I played at Chelsea, so I’ve got the fundamentals to play and be on the ball. Being at Stoke it’s the other side of the game, getting physical and aggressive. I feel I’ve got everything to be a ball-playing centre-half and an aggressive defender.”

Player/boss Rhys McCabe said: “We’re pleased to get Luke in, it’s been a process over the last couple of weeks. He came up and trained really well this morning, it looks like he’s slotting in right away. He’s quick, aggressive and plays on the front foot – that’s what I like in a defender, so hopefully he can add good value to the team and we’ll go from there.”

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