Mitchell Roberts 'buzzing' to join Harrogate Town on loan from Birmingham City

Mitchell Roberts became Harrogate Town's fourth capture of the January transfer window. Picture: Harrogate Town AFC

The 20-year-old, who has been a regular for the Championship Blues' under-23s side this term, is the Sulphurites' fourth signing of the January transfer window.

He follows striker Josh March, midfielder William Hondermarck and fellow defender Jay Williams into Wetherby Road as Simon Weaver continues to strengthen his squad ahead of the second half of Town's debut Football League campaign.

A left-footed centre-half, who is also comfortable at full-back, Roberts is very much the type of defender that Weaver prefers - one who is comfortable in possession and will have no problem operating in a team who like to pass the football.

Mitchell Roberts has joined Town on loan from Birmingham City.

“I’m really happy, I’m buzzing," he said upon arriving in North Yorkshire.

"It’s a great opportunity for me to come here and play some games.

“I spoke to the gaffer and he told me that he’d been monitoring me for a while.

“He explained how I’d be joining a really close-knit group and that as long as I work hard, it’ll be a great experience for me”.

Having been recruited to Birmingham's academy in 2011 after he was spotted playing Sunday League, Roberts was reportedly the subject of interest from both Manchester City and Glasgow Celtic during 2019, though he committed his future to the Blues by putting pen to paper on a two-year contract at St Andrews last summer.

Highly-rated by Birmingham though he is, the youngster has been allowed to join Town in order to get some experience of senior football under his belt. His path to the City's first team is currently blocked by the likes of established professionals Harlee Dean, Jake Clarke-Salter and Marc Roberts.

Roberts will wear the number 29 shirt at Harrogate and is eligible to make his debut against Cambridge United on Saturday.