BREAKING: Doncaster Rovers sign England U21 goalkeeper on loan

Doncaster Rovers have completed the signing of Brentford goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe on loan for the rest of the season.
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The 21-year-old has trained with Rovers today and will be eligible to make his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers.

Balcombe graduated through Brentford’s youth set up but has yet to make his senior debut for the Bees. He has however been part of 12 matchday squads.

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He had a loan spell with Boreham Wood in 2018 which was cut short after eight appearances due to a knee injury he sustained on international duty including in the Championship and Carabao Cup this season.

Ellery BalcombeEllery Balcombe
Ellery Balcombe

Injury also ended a loan move to Danish side Viborg, where he also made eight appearances before returning to Brentford last January.

Balcombe is understood to be highly rated by coaching staff at Brentford and is expected to agree a new long term deal imminently.

He has played for England’s age group set up since the U18s and has most recently been part of U21 squads, though is yet to win his first cap.

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Securing a goalkeeper for the remainder of the season was one of Darren Moore’s top priorities for the January window.

Josef Bursik had joined Rovers on a season-long loan in August but was recalled by parent club Stoke City due to an injury crisis.

He was replaced by Queens Park Rangers keeper Joe Lumley, who joined on an emergency loan basis which required renewal weekly.

Rovers held talks with QPR about extending Lumley’s deal until the end of the season but the London club are keen on a more permanent solution to his future.

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