Left back signs from the Premier League Champions until the end of the 2016/17 season.
We are pleased to announce the signing of 22-year-old Leicester City defender Callum Elder who has today joined the Club on loan until the end of the current campaign.An attack-minded full back who likes to overlap with pace and purpose, Elder is highly-regarded by the Premier League Champions and becomes the second Foxes player to join the Reds on loan until the end of the season, following last week’s arrival of Matty James.
An Under 20 international with Australia, the Sydney-born youngster arrived in England as a 16-year-old to begin a scholarship in the Foxes Academy. After completing his scholarship at the end of the 2012/13 season, he was awarded his first professional contract with the Club.
Predominantly operating at left back, Elder made 20 appearances for Mansfield Town in the second half of the 2014/15 season, earning rave reviews for the League Two side. He then joined Peterborough United on a season-long loan last season and again the youngster performed admirably, earning himself more credit and exposure to league football. During his time at London Road, Elder scored his first professional goal in a 4-0 win over Doncaster Rovers.
In July of last year ahead of the new EFL Sky Bet Championship season, Elder joined Brentford on loan and went on to make six valuable appearances in England’s second tier. His time in the Championship was further proof of his pedigree and ability to perform throughout the English Football League, and he now moves to Barnsley raring to go for the remainder of the 2016/17 season.
With deadline day fast approaching, Paul Heckingbottom was delighted to secure the services of the promising defender and said, “I’m really pleased to bring Callum in at such short notice. We made our interest clear and at the same time, Callum has jumped at the opportunity to join us. He fits the criteria of everything we are looking for as he’s a strong full-back who likes to operate up and down the channels, so he’ll be a big asset to our squad. Left-back is a position that we needed to reinforce, so that’s another tick in the box. He is ready for the Championship.
“I’d like to thank Leicester once again for allowing Callum to develop his game with us and this again goes to show that the top Clubs are looking at Barnsley and acknowledging that we are an excellent place for young players to improve and succeed.”
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