Stags secure the signatures of young defenders Nartey and Forrester on Transfer Deadline Day

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Mansfield Town have announced the loan signings of Richard Nartey from Burnley and Will Forrester from Stoke City.

The two young defenders will hope to bring in desire, grit and determination as they try to find their ways into the first-team fold.

Burnley defender Richard Nartey has already worked under the stewardship of Nigel Clough at Burton Albion during the 2019/20 season and will look to make an impression once more during his season-long loan with the amber and blues.

Stags boss Nigel Clough spoke about the ex-Chelsea academy player and what he can bring to the side.

“Richard has experience in League One and spent an extended period of time with Chelsea prior to that.

“In the last ten months, he’s benefited greatly training with Burnley’s first team.

“He’s a good centre-half, with pace and reads the game well”.

Nartey spent most of his life at Chelsea, signing for the London outfit as an under-9, and the technical side of things he learned there combined with loan experience at Burton Albion will only make him more aware of the physical demands of League Two.

Stoke City defender Will Forrester was the second acquisition made on Transfer Deadline Day. The central defender, who can also play as a right-back, has been a part of the Potters’ academy since the age of six.

He made his senior debut for Stoke City’s under-21’s in October 2018 against Morecambe in the EFL Trophy and his professional debut came in the final game of the 2020/21 season as he netted the opening goal in a 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth.

The defender joins the Stags until January 2022 but is currently continuing rehabilitation following an ankle injury and is expected to be available in around two weeks.

After signing, Forrester was delighted to be given the opportunity by Nigel Clough and is looking forward to the hard work ahead.

“I’m grateful to the manager [Nigel Clough] for giving me this opportunity and can’t wait to get started at the club.

“As soon as I heard of Mansfield’s interest, my mind was made up. They were my first choice of club who I wanted to go on loan to.

“I’m looking forward to working hard in training and in games, if and when I get my chance.”

The duo face a lot of tough competition with experienced professionals ahead of them in the pecking order, but with the potential they hold, anything could happen and their debuts may not be too far away.

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