Mid Sussex Times

Albion continue to fine tune squad

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Brighton & Hove Albion have continued to fine-tune their squad during the January transfer window.

Taylor Richards has joined Birmingham City on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder becomes the latest young player to make the move to the Championsh­ip.

Richards said: “It feels great to get on loan and to be at this great club - I am happy to be here.

“Blues is a massive club. So, if they ask me to come here and play for the team, I am going to do that.

“I spoke to the head coach [Lee Bowyer], we had a good chat, and I am just ready to get going.

“I like to drive forward with the ball, I like to excite, I like to score goals, I like to assist. That is things that they [the fans] can look out for when I play.”

A number of Albion’s younger players have benefitted from loan moves to EFL clubs in recent seasons, including Richards, who spent last season on loan at Doncaster Rovers.

He scored 11 goals and contribute­d five assists in 48 appearance­s during a highly successful spell at Rovers in League One.

Richards, who joined Albion in 2019 from Premier League rivals Manchester City, has also represente­d England at under-17 level.

He made his Premier League debut as a substitute in the home match against Everton earlier this season, and has made five first-team appearance­s for Albion.

Albion head coach Graham Potter said: “Taylor has been with the first-team squad for the first part of the season, he has benefitted from that time and he has made great progress during that time.

“He has played in the Carabao Cup ties and also made his Premier League debut, but we feel it is now important for him to play regular football during the second half of the season and he will get that opportunit­y with Birmingham, a club I know well.”

 ?? ?? Taylor Richards
Taylor Richards

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