Accrington Stanley draft in Championship defender

By Chris Page from Rotherham, UK - Rotherham v Southend 12th Aug 2017 (17), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61661538

Accrington Stanley have signed defender Michael Ihiekwe on loan from Championship side Rotherham United until 2nd January 2018.

The 25-year-old joins John Coleman’s side ahead of their weekend trip to Blackpool. he came through the youth ranks at Liverpool before switching to Wolves, where he struggled for first team chance.

A loan spell at Cheltenham followed, before a move to National League side Tranmere Rovers. It was at Prenton Park he caught the eye, securing his Rotherham switch last summer.

“I am delighted to be here, Accrington have obviously had a successful few years and I can’t wait to get started,” Ihiekwe told the Lancashire Telegraph. “I wanted to play regularly and was pleased when Accrington came in from me.”

He played 35 times in League One last season as Rotherham were promoted. He operates primarily as a centre back, although he can play left back too, albeit as cover rather than his main position.

Manager John Coleman is delighted to get a League One quality defender in on loan. “He is proven at this level,” Coleman said. “I first came across Michael when he was playing for Tranmere and he impressed me.”

Our View

Being promoted to the Championship and then farmed back out on loan will kill Ihiekwe, but he’ll bounce back and be a key part of the Accrington push.

They were tipped as favourites for relegation, but they’re already showing that to be inaccurate. If they can sign one or two more like the Rotherham defender, then they’ll be just fine.

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