HARRY DARLING TO CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT WITH BISHOP'S STORTFORD ON ONE-MONTH LOAN
Cambridge United have agreed a one-month loan deal with Bishop's Stortford that will allow exciting young prospect Harry Darling to give him his first tastes of senior men's football.
Following the Under 18's FA Youth Cup exit to Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday, in which Darling captained the U's to the Fourth Round for the first time since 2006, the Club have moved quickly to continue the 17-year old's development at the National League South side.
Living in Burwell and a student of Bottisham Village College, Darling first joined the U's Academy at Under 13's level. The centre back has come to prominence this season following his exceptional performances in both the FA Youth Alliance League and the FA Youth Cup run, with his brace against Bournemouth in the latter securing the Fourth Round tie for Cambridge United.
Darling gained valuable experience as a member of the travelling first team squad that toured Holland/Germany ahead of the current season, before penning a three-year professional deal with the Club in October and going on to make his senior debut against Scunthorpe United in November.
Ben Strang, Cambridge United Head of Football Operations, commented: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Harry to go and experience regular senior first team football at a good level.
"Harry has excelled this season as Youth Team captain, demonstrating his leadership qualities in their notable FA Youth Cup run and producing high level performances in that competition as well as the league.
"We enjoy a good relationship with Bishop's Stortford and know that Harry is in good hands for his first loan. It is an ideal level for Harry to experience and we are confident that he can flourish in this environment.
"Harry is a young player that the club has high hopes for, as highlighted by the three year professional contract he signed this season, and so it is hugely important that we are constantly reviewing and developing his pathway into our first team.
"Harry has answered all questions of him emphatically this season and we look forward to seeing how he now handles the pressures of striving to excel in a good level of men's football for the first time. For a young centre half that is a fundamental challenge to achieve."