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Felix heads out on loan after signing pro deal

BRIG BOUND: Young Rovers keeper Felix Goddard has joined Bamber Bridge on loan
BRIG BOUND: Young Rovers keeper Felix Goddard has joined Bamber Bridge on loan

Young Rovers goalkeeper Felix Goddard has joined Bamber Bridge on a six-month loan deal.

The 18-year-old, who recently signed a two-year professional contract with the club, will remain with the Northern Premier League side until January.

The teenager’s new Rovers contract includes a 12-month option, as the club bolsters their goalkeeping ranks.

Jordan Eastham had the option in his deal taken up this summer, with Goddard joining Joe Hilton and Aidan Dowling as academy options behind first-team duo Thomas Kaminski and Aynsley Pears, with Antonis Stergiakis having departed earlier this summer.

Goddard has made 33 appearances for Rovers Under-18s since signing from City on a two-year scholarship in September 2020, and also made his Under-23s debut in Premier League 2.

He is the latest of the promising crop of scholars to sign professional terms with Rovers, and it is an achievement that Goddard is proud of.

Speaking about the new deal at Ewood, Goddard said: “It’s a great moment and a day that I’ve dreamed of since I was a young kid and I’m delighted to have signed my contract.

“Signing your first professional contract is your first major milestone, but after this you’ve just got to kick on and keep going and try to get that next contract.

“It’s been a brilliant two years for me.

“Definitely a change from (Manchester) City, but a change for the better and I feel like I’ve really thrived under the environment here, thanks to all the coaches, all the staff and all my team-mates.”

Goddard played 20 times for the Under-18s as they finished fifth in the Premier League northern division, as well as their three FA Youth Cup ties as they reached the quarter-finals, only to be knocked out by Nottingham Forest at Ewood Park.

The German-born keeper also enjoyed a brief loan spell with Lancaster City during a season in which Goddard felt he gained valuable experience.

His aim will be to become a regular for Mike Sheron’s side in Premier League 2, with the long-term aim of making the push towards the first-team.

“Last year was a great season for the Under-18s. To compete with Manchester City at the top of the table for so long is a big achievement and for me personally, I think I had a good season and played well,” Goddard said.

“Next year I’ll be looking to play more games for the Under-23s and also to go on loan. I went to Lancaster for two games last season and really enjoyed it. It was a really valuable experience, so hopefully I can get some more men’s football under my belt.”

Born in Germany to British parents, Goddard was brought up in Singapore before joining the City academy at the age of 13 in 2017. He spent three years with the Premier League champions before his move to Rovers.