AFC Fylde are delighted to announce that a deal has been agreed for the loan signing of goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom, who joins from Premier League side Brentford on a season-long loan, subject to National League approval.
The ‘keeper, who is originally from the North-West, joins the Coasters for the season after recently being promoted to Thomas Frank’s first team having initially joined the Bees’ ‘B team’.
Local to the area and ready to kick on at Mill Farm, Winterbottom was delighted to get the deal done and is excited to get going under Chris Beech.
He said: “I’m excited. Just walking around the place, the stadium especially, I’m just looking forward to the season ahead.
“It’s been brilliant at Brentford, the learning aspect of being around international players and it’s been a great base to grow and learn. So for my learning it’s been brilliant there but the next step for me now is playing football and I just can’t wait to get going.
“I just want to play games. Games and clean sheets are the plan and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to showcase what I can do.”
Born in Preston, Winterbottom had spent most of his early playing days in the North-West having come through the ranks at Blackburn and Liverpool before moving onto Brentford B in 2021.
A loan move to Welling United followed before Winterbottom was given a promotion to Brentford’s first team and the 22-year-old is now looking to further his experience with a full season back up north.
He continued: “It’s nice to be back (up north). It’s great to be around my family and friends and it’s not changed too much since I’ve been away so it’s great to be back.”
Head Coach Chris Beech added: “Ben is originally from Preston, he’s been at Liverpool, Brentford B and he’s been third-choice goalkeeper and warmed up at every Premier League ground last season.
“There’s no way a Premier League manager has anybody around them without the personality traits that can support the squad in regards to performing on the day. Especially at a club like Brentford, because their culture, energy, environment is first-class, and Ben has been an integral part of that, but he wants to play, and he’ll fight it out with Theo.
“He adds that competition, and it’s what you need if we are going to be successful.
“We were keen to add to our depth in that position and with Chris Neal now tied down as our permanent Goalkeeper Coach, we’re really excited about how we’re looking in that position.”
Everyone at AFC Fylde welcomes Ben to Mill Farm and wishes him all the best during his loan spell at the club.
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