Blues youngster Nico Valentine has joined Vanarama National League South Chelmsford City on loan for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old spent the first half of the season on a second loan at Needham Market, where he helped them carry off the Southern League Central Premier Division title, but this term’s spell was cut short by a hamstring injury.

However, the winger made his return to action for the last half-hour of the U21s’ 5-1 loss to Charlton at Playford Road on Tuesday and caught the eye despite the result.

“We’ve been a big admirer of Nico for quite some time,” Clarets manager Robbie Simpson told his club’s official website.

“He had an amazing season last season on loan at Needham Market to help them get promoted to the National League North.

“He’s had an injury this season but he’s been back training for a few weeks now and played his first game on Tuesday, and with the deadline coming up for Premier League loans, we wanted to act before that deadline was up.

“Nico’s a highly talented young player and he’s one that will excite fans with his pace, he’s very much a pacey wide player that could also play as an advanced forward centrally.

“He’s got blistering pace and is technically very, very good and he’ll add another dimension to us with obviously Freddie [Hockey] being out, he adds that electric pace running in behind. We’re really delighted to finally get Nico over the line and can’t wait to see him in a Claret shirt!”

Valentine joins Harry Barbrook at the Melbourne Stadium, the U21s left-back having made a loan move to the Essex side earlier in the month.

Photo: Reuters

OliveR16 added 14:16 - Feb 1 Saw Barbrook the other week in an NLS game. Let's keep it polite - he has lots of potential areas for improvement . . .
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