On Friday evening Brighton and Hove Albion confirmed that talented young goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had headed out on loan in the hopes of securing his EFL debut and getting regular professional level first team football.
✍️ Albion under-23 goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will join @FGRFC_Official on a season-long loan deal for the 2018/19 @SkyBetLeagueTwo campaign.#BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/sf7dlly0CJ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) June 15, 2018
The 20-year-old stopper was a regular for our Under 23 side in 2017/18 and he more than helped the side to promotion last season. Having arrived from Levante back in 2015, over the past two season’s, he’s played 28 Premier League 2 games for Simon Rusk’s side, keeping 14 clean sheets in the process.
Whilst the spell could technically give him his senior debut, last season also saw him take part in five EFL Trophy ties last season, so he has faced professional EFL level players previously and that experience should only stand him in good stead.
The destination is League Two and Forest Green Rovers and he’ll work with manager Mark Cooper and his team for the entire 2018/19 campaign. Brighton do however hold a recall clause on him come the January window, and that is immediate but expires on Monday, January 21st.
The loan begins officially on July 1st and expires on June 30, 2019, but it’s usually commonplace at his age that he can still return to the training ground and get extra minutes at Under 23 level should we wish.
Speaking to the Official Site Rusk explained.
“Robert has been excellent for us and he fully deserves his chance to go out on loan and play senior football. We managed to keep a number of clean sheets last season, which helped us achieve promotion, and Robert was a key member of the squad that contributed towards that.”
Good luck Rob! Will keep an eye on the fixtures this season
— Sam Peters (@SamPeters_BHAFC) June 15, 2018
Anyone seen him play? What's he like?
— G (@Adammm_15) June 15, 2018
Good move for him, good luck Rob!
— , (@sambhafc_) June 15, 2018