Southampton defender Jason McCarthy joins the club on loan...
Walsall Football Club are delighted to announce the loan signing of highly rated Southampton defender Jason McCarthy until January 2017.Captain of Southampton’s U21 side, McCarthy is a product of the Saint’s Academy system and although regarded as a towering centre-half, can also be deployed in the midfield.
He lifted the Under-21 Premier League trophy with his hometown club during the 2014/15 campaign and made his first team debut on Boxing Day of the same season, replacing Nathaniel Clyne in a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
The 20-year old spent last season at League Two outfit Wycombe Wanderers and was a mainstay in Gareth Ainsworth’s side, featuring 39 times in all competitions.
He topped a poll of 1,500 supporters to win the 2015/16 Supporters Player of the Year award.
“I’ve been watching Jason for the last six months whilst he was working with Gareth [Ainsworth] who’s a good friend of mine,” explained Jon Whitney. “He spoke really highly of him as a player and a person.”
“He’s a committed defender who has a tremendous work ethic and will fit in really well to the philosophy I’m trying to develop at the club.
“Southampton think really highly of him, has captained their U21 side and they’re keen to build a relationship with the club this season and going forward.
“He’ll be an integral part of the squad and has the skill set and attitude to be really successful here at Walsall.
“The new loan system will benefit us as well because we’re guaranteed to have him until January so unlike last season it’ll give us some stability with the players we bring in.”
McCarthy is Whitney’s fifth signing of the season and will joins Florent Cuvelier, Joe Edwards, Erhun Oztumer and Milan Butterfield in the list of additions to the squad.