Football: Nathan Trott Joins AFC Wimbledon
Bermudian goalkeeper Nathan Trott has joined AFC Wimbledon on loan until the end of the 2019/20 season.
“West Ham United goalkeeper Nathan Trott has joined EFL League One club AFC Wimbledon on loan until the end of the 2019/20 season,” the West Ham website said.
“The England U20 international will link up with former Hammers coach Wally Downes at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, where he will hope to make his senior debut and gain valuable first-team experience.
“The 20-year-old stopper, who signed a new three-year contract in March and remains very much in West Ham’s long-term plans, has been a regular at Premier League 2 level since the age of 17 and is considered one of the country’s brightest goalkeeping prospects.
“Goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero believes Trott’s move to the Dons will aid his development and is the next logical step towards West Ham’s first team.”
The AFC Wimbledon website said, “We are delighted to announce that Wally Downes has beaten off competition from other clubs to complete the loan signing of England Under-20 international goalkeeper Nathan Trott.
“The West Ham United stopper, who signed a new contract with the Premier League club earlier this year, today joined in with his new team-mates at AFC Wimbledon for the start of pre-season training.
Wally Downes, who previously served on the coaching staff at West Ham, said: “We watched Nathan last season and he is a very talented boy, so we are delighted to have him here on loan.
“I got close to the West Ham loans manager and after the success we had with Aaron Ramsdale and progressing him as a keeper, they were keen for Nathan to come to us. Although there were a lot of clubs in for him, we managed to pip them to it.
“You get to see all the games now on the various media platforms and Nathan has been on my radar for quite a while. I watched Nathan play from the comfort of my own home and I went along to watch him live in a couple of reserve games at the end of last season. He is a very talented, agile, goalkeeper.
“Though he is young, that shouldn’t inhibit him. Bayzo brought the best out of Aaron Ramsdale and I expect him to do the same job with Nathan.”
“Raised in Bermuda, Nathan joined the Hammers back in 2016 after being recommended by Clyde Best, a Bermudian who previously played for West Ham.
“After making impressive progress through the West Ham academy ranks, Nathan travelled with the first-team squad for the first game of the 2017-18 Premier League season at Manchester United.
“Nathan represented England Under-20s on six occasions, his debut coming against Holland in 2017, and he was recently included in the Three Lions squad for the Under-21 Toulon tournament. Nathan has been a regular for West Ham Under-23s and represented his club in the EFL Trophy.”
