Stoke City's teenage striker Ethon Varian is closing in on a season-long loan move to Scottish Championship outfit Raith Rovers, as reported by the Courier.

The 18-year-old, who stands at 6'2, is expected to add some extra competition for places at the Scottish club, as the new season fast approaches. 

The towering forward has netted nine times and has provided a further six assists in Stoke's last two Premier League 2 campaigns, making 33 appearances in the process. 

Varian has also featured on the international stage, debuting for Ireland's U21 side in March against Wales. 

The Cork-born striker is a versatile forward who is as competent in creating chances as he is scoring, and will be hopeful of securing enough minutes to progress his career further. 

This potential move is anopportunity to play football in a different way. U23's football is a completely different ball game to the first-team game and it could prove to be extremely beneficial in the early stages of his career.  

The verdict

A loan move to Raith would provide the young forward with an excellent chance to be submerged into a first-team environment - something that will advance his hopes of breaking into the first-team set up at Stoke

As a young, aspiring professional it is all about gaining enough game time and experience to re-join the parent club as a better player.

His ability to score goals and create opportunities will be tested in the professional game, but he is a promising individual who will be excited by this chance. 

If approached the right way, this can be an excellent learning curve for Varian, and should it be a successful loan spell, then he only bolsters his chances of progressing with Stoke.