HUDDERSFIELD TOWN have sealed a season-long loan deal for Manchester United keeper Joel Pereira. The 24-year-old stopper, who faced an uphill battle for an Old Trafford starting place, has completed a medical with the Championship side. Pereira, who is a Portugal Under-21 international, has made just two senior appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team. And […]
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN have sealed a season-long loan deal for Manchester United keeper Joel Pereira.
The 24-year-old stopper, who faced an uphill battle for an Old Trafford starting place, has completed a medical with the Championship side.
Pereira, who is a Portugal Under-21 international, has made just two senior appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.
And the young stopper is likely to face stiff competition at Old Trafford with rising star Dean Henderson signing a new five-year deal with United to compete with David De Gea.
Henderson enjoyed an outstanding loan spell at Sheffield United last season and is earning £120,000 a week as part of his new contract.
Huddersfield, who survived a Championship relegation battle last term, made their move for the 6ft 5’’ Pereira following an injury to their number two keeper Ryan Schofield.
And Leigh Bromby, the Terriers’ head of operations, believes the side are in need of another goalkeeping option who “fits” the team’s style of play.
Bromby said: Following the injury to Ryan Schofield, we felt it was important to have another senior goalkeeper in the group.
“Being able to attract a player with Joel’s ability shows the direction we are going in and that players believe they can develop under Carlos.
“Joel is a really interesting option for us and fits the way we want our goalkeepers to play.
Terriers head coach Carlos Corberan echoed Bromby’s views.
And the 37-year-old Spaniard says the goalkeeper’s skill in “dominating” the penalty were key factors in the club’s loan move for the player.
Corberan said: “Joel Pereira is a player that covers all the demands we have from our goalkeepers. In terms of his reflexes, domination of the box, covering spaces and distribution of the play – all of these abilities are something that aren’t easy to find in a ‘keeper.
“For me it’s a very positive reaction from the Club, in terms of getting a replacement from Ryan Schofield’s injury.”
Huddersfield have so far made one permanent signing with Danny Ward returning as a permanent Terriers signing after leaving Cardiff City as a free agent.
And club officials may consider further loan moves following the successful temporary spells for several players including Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe.
The Gunners starlet was among a batch of loan players who helped the Terriers to avoid relegation last term.
The club finished in eighteenth place in the Championship table.
