Seagulls sign up starlet
05 Jan 2007 - 07:13:55
Brighton and Hove Albion have snapped up Arsenal defender Joe O'Cearuill on a month's loan.
The Gunners' teenage academy product has yet to make a first-team appearance but has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 international level.
"Joe is somebody that we've seen over the course of this season," Seagulls boss Dean Wilkins told the club's official website.
"We've got to a stage where we haven't secured Andrew Whing, and with Adam Hinshelwood being injured we needed to act quickly to get somebody in to strengthen the squad.
"We can play him in the FA Cup (against West Ham on Saturday), so we're thinking about that now.
"It would be an incredible place for him to start, but probably not too strange for him in some respects.
"The occasion will be big, but I think the quality of the players he will be facing won't be too big a surprise for him."