Everton have allowed one of their youngsters to head out on loan this summer, with Ryan Astley now joining Accrington Stanley as reported by the club’s official website.

The League One side will be desperate to continue to try and push on next season and the addition of Astley could help them in that aspect.

The 20-year-old has yet to play a single game for The Toffees yet though, which is no surprise considering his age. He’s only ever featured for the club’s reserve and youth sides and that is what he has had to make do with for the time being.

However, for those reserves he has thrived. He’s played in 65 games for those sides in total and has managed to even contribute with two assists even though he features as part of a backline. Now, he looks like he will be given chance to feature more often in competitive football.

This also marks the first time he will be given the chance to feature in the EFL and in competitive action, having never been sent out on a loan in the Football League before.

Astley will likely jump at the opportunity to prove himself then in more first-team football and his eagerness to impress in his first loan spell could certainly aid Stanley in their bid to try and scale the heights of the third tier.

It will certainly be a chance for the player to improve and develop more over the next campaign or so as well.

The Verdict

Ryan Astley is a young defender who probably does present somewhat of a risk for Stanley but could be a gamble worth taking.

In terms of his prior experience, he doesn’t have a whole lot of it. He’s never been tested in the EFL, has never played in League One and when it comes to competitive football it’s been in short supply.

The 20-year-old though has to start somewhere. If Accrington are prepared to give him that chance, he could repay them back handsomely for giving him his first chance.

Considering that he has also featured for the Wales reserve sides though, the chances are that he could be an inspired signing for the third tier outfit.