Aston Villa have officially confirmed that young goalkeeper Akos Onodi has joined Bromsgrove Sporting on loan.
The 19-year-old has made a positive impression at youth level as he looks to secure a long-term future at Villa, while he made his senior debut last season in the FA Cup clash with Liverpool.
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However, in order to gain more experience and to continue to develop his game through playing time at a higher level that he has been at previously with the youth side, Villa have opted to send him out on loan, as per the club’s official site.
After Tom Heaton’s exit following his contract expiring this summer, there could have arguably been a case for Onodi to be promoted and act as depth in the goalkeeper ranks next season behind Emiliano Martinez and Jed Steer.
It appears as though Dean Smith will want to bring in another experienced option between the sticks to play that role in the squad though, with a long-term plan perhaps in place if Onodi continues to improve and impress.
Time will tell who that individual will be, but for now, Villa will no doubt be monitoring our young shot-stopper’s progress while on loan, and they will hope that the experience proves to be a beneficial one for him in his continued development.
From Onodi’s perspective, it’s an opportunity to test himself at a higher level beyond youth level, while also gaining regular playing time and not being stuck on the bench behind two senior goalkeepers, had he been promoted into the first team by Smith this season.