Tonbridge Angels sign Portsmouth goalkeeper Toby Steward on a season-long loan

Tonbridge have signed a goalkeeper on a season-long loan from Championship club Portsmouth.

Highly-rated Toby Steward arrives at Longmead as the replacement for long-serving Jonny Henly, who was released at the end of last season.

Steward, 19, joined Pompey aged 10 and links up with Angels after returning from a pre-season trip to Croatia.

He starred on loan at Southern League Gosport Borough last year, where he was voted Step 3 goalkeeper of the year.

The teenager was also called up to an England youth development squad training camp last December.

“I’m delighted to get Toby into the building, the signing has been agreed a long time,” Angels boss Jay Saunders took his club website.

“Portsmouth have been fantastic to deal with and we are really pleased to have him for the season.

“He has big gloves to fill replacing Jonny but he is someone, that after a great season at Gosport last year, can kick on with us and be a great asset.

“He is a keeper with a big future in the game.”

Steward made his first Angels appearance in a 3-2 friendly defeat by Bromley on Tuesday night.

Tonbridge coach Lloyd Blackman shares Saunders’ delight in the goalkeeper’s move to Tonbridge.

“Toby has had an exceptional season and Pompey think very, very highly of him,” said Blackman.

“It’s nice of them to be able to trust us in the kid’s development as well, so I’m sure he’ll be a marvellous goalkeeper for us and we’re looking forward to having him.

“If we can reap the benefits of having a full-time goalkeeper, and one with huge potential, that’s great for us.”