City Add Versatile Defender on Loan

City have completed their summer transfer business with the loan signing of Saxon Earley from EFL Championship side Plymouth Argyle.

The 21-year-old becomes City’s final signing of the summer window and adds yet another option to their defensive unit. When he was part of Norwich City’s youth setup, Earley enjoyed a successful loan spell at Stevenage, making 21 appearances in Sky Bet League Two before contributing two goals in nine appearances to Argyle’s Sky Bet League One promotion in 22/23. He made a single appearance for Argyle in the second tier last season.

Earley said: “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the club, spoken to a few people and no-one’s had a bad word to say, so I’m looking forward to getting going. 

“I’m hungry, I want to play, I want to do well and most importantly I want to win. The club’s in a really good state and hopefully we can push it forward.

“I met the boys for the first time and they seem like a really good group of lads, I also met the coaching staff and everyone seems like they’re in a good place and I’m looking forward to getting underway and hitting the ground running.”

Head coach Michael Skubala said: “Saxon has some excellent attributes. He is aggressive, athletic and good technically.  He will really add to our defensive options and we are delighted to have added him to the squad at the end of the transfer window.”

Director of football Jez George added: “We’ve had an interest in Saxon for two years, watched him extensively while he was on loan at Stevenage and monitored him since joining Plymouth.

“Saxon’s had a really tough year with two ankle injuries but he has successfully rehabbed from surgery and has completed a full pre-season, so he joins us ready to play. We have been looking for a versatile left footed defender all summer, who can add depth and competition for the squad in a couple of positions, and Saxon fits the bill perfectly.  Just as importantly was Saxon’s desire to join us.”