Grimsby capture exciting young Aston Villa star on loan

Grimsby Town have announced the signing of exciting young Aston Villa playmaker Arjan Raikhy until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old had previously been on loan at promotion rivals Stockport County, and impressed during their FA Cup heroics against League One side Bolton Wanderers.

The Mariners won the race to his signature after his loan at Stockport was cut short after making just eight appearances for them in the first half of the 2021/22 campaign.

A club statement read: “Grimsby Town Football Club are pleased to announce the signing of Aston Villa central midfielder, Arjan Raikhy until the end of the season.

“Raikhy started his footballing career in the Academy system at West Bromwich Albion, before switching Midlands clubs, joining Aston Villa where he has continued ever since. The youngster was one of six Academy players who penned professional terms following the Club’s FA Youth Cup success in 2021.”

Paul Hurst expressed his delight at the move, which he had wanted to complete in the Summer, telling club media GTTV: “I have seen quite a lot of him from the Youth Team that was so successful in the FA Youth Cup.

“We spoke about bringing him in potentially in the summer, but as we were building the squad we weren’t really at the right moment to do that from our point of view and he went on to Stockport, played against us and got Man of the Match in that game.

“We continued to watch with interest. He probably didn’t get quite as many games as he would have liked, but he was in a tough environment with some good players there. I have watched him also a couple of times since he returned to Villa and what he is, is very comfortable on the ball, he can play all roles in midfielder either deeper and get on the ball and get playing, or he can play higher where he can find key passes. I am pleased to have him, he has been on our list of players for some time”.

Raikhy also spoke of his delight at the chance for regular senior first team football, saying: “I’m delighted to be here to be fair. Villa has a good relationship with the Manager, I spoke to him in the week, it was a really positive chat and obviously, I just want to come in and help the team as much as I can.

“As I am still young, I think that experience of what the League is like and what it’s like to be in a First Team environment, so having that experience [at Stockport County] will definitely help me, I mean I played a few games at the start and it just kind of didn’t really get back into the team.

“As a player I would say that I can play anywhere in a midfield three. I can play holding, a central midfielder or as an attacking midfielder, I like to get on the ball and play, switch the ball, do the dirty side and defend and make interceptions, I am an all-round player and I would say that I am a technical ball-playing midfielder”.

Arjan Raikhy will wear the number 17 shirt – previously occupied by fellow Villa youngster Seb Revan – and will be available for selection for Tuesday’s trip to Wrexham.

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