Leyton Orient are close to the signing of Tottenham Hotspur striker Jamie Donley on loan, according to Darren Witcoop on X.
Spurs are reportedly looking at sending a number of young players out for EFL spells this season, and Donley looks to be no exception. The 19-year-old finds himself down the pecking order at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium despite the side’s previous struggles up front. The signing of Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth means another player ahead of Donley in the queue for the striker spot, so a loan seems likely in order for the attacker to gain valuable first-team experience.
Donley has been on the books at Tottenham since the age of eight and has worked his way through the age groups up to the senior side, where he has made four appearances. Most of his success, however, has come for the club’s under-21 side, scoring five times and assisting no less than 12 goals in 17 games throughout the 2023-24 campaign. A longer spell in men’s football is seen to be the next step, and a move to Orient looks set to bring this.
Antrim-born Donley, who has represented both Northern Ireland and England at youth level, would be the seventh signing at Brisbane Road so far this summer. If he moves, he would see himself competing with two other new additions to play up front. The O’s have also secured the loan signings of strikers Sonny Perkins and Charlie Kelman, so Donley would face stiff competition for game time.
Orient have had a mixed start to the season thus far, having lost their opening League One game against Bolton Wanderers but winning in the Carabao Cup first round against Newport County. They will be hoping for more consistency as the season progresses, and will be looking to the likes of Donley to deliver to that end.
Writer’s View
Orient have dipped into the loan market extensively this summer and look to be doing the same with Donley as they aim to build on last season and make their way up the League One table. They have plenty of competition up front so will be hoping they have enough firepower to improve after losing key players either permanently or at the end of loan spells. As for Donley, this move would provide great experience of senior football and would benefit Orient as well as the player, so a move looks to be sensible for all parties to develop this season.
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