Jordan eyes prize

SHELDAN KEAY

NEW Accrington Stanley signing Jordan Thorniley insists he will do all he can to help the team stay in contention near the top of the League Two table.

The 20-year-old centre back has joined the Reds on loan from Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

He’s excited about the opportunity to play for Stanley, and plans on taking the chance with both hands.

“I’m really pleased to be here. I’ve been looking to get out on loan for about a year now,” he told the club’s official website.

“To get the chance to come and play for a club like Accrington in League Two is a great opportunity for me.

“I’m here to help the team in whatever way that I can, I want to be strong at the back, keep clean sheets and try to keep us at the top end of the table.”

Thorniley came through the youth ranks at Everton and picked up a trophy with the youth side before going on to join Sheffield Wednesday in July 2016.

He had a good year playing for Wednesday’s development side, helping the U23s win the Professional Development League Two North title last season, and he hopes to now kick on from there.

“I won the Under 18s title in the first year of my scholarship, then we won the Under 23s league last season,” he said.

“They were both brilliant experiences that have helped me grow as a footballer, but the time was right now to come out on loan and test myself further.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the lads and getting to work in training, hopefully my performances can benefit the club as much as the experience will benefit myself.”