Official: Arsenal youngster Sanchez Watt joins League Two side Crawley Town on six-month loan deal

The 20-year-old joins the club as they look to seal back-to-back promotions, with manager Steve Evans thanking Arsene Wenger for allowing the deal to go ahead

26 Jan 2012 20:23:00

By Michael Lightfoot

More On :  Arsenal FC, Crawley Town Football Club, S. Watt
Sanchez Watt
Getty Images
League Two side Crawley Town have signed Arsenal youngster Sanchez Watt on loan until the end of the season.
Don't Miss

The 20-year-old, who has previously been on loan at Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday, joins the promotion chasers for six months and can play in attack or down the flanks.

Watt has played for his parent club three times and scored on his debut for the club but has been loaned back out again.

The move down to League Two will come as a surprise to some given Watt's previous experience at League One and Championship level, but a delighted Steve Evans was thrilled to have got his man after months of chasing the player.

The manager told the club's official website: "Sanchez Watt is a player we have monitored and admired for some time now and we are absolutely thrilled that a player of his ability is coming to Crawley.

"He had several offers to go to Championship and League One clubs but he likes the idea of playing for a club who are challenging for promotion and the fact that I tried on a previous occasion to sign the kid.

"He will get opportunities here between now and the end of the season and I think he can make a really big difference to what is already a very talented squad.

Evans was understandably buoyant after signing such a player, which now could give his side the impetus to push on at the top end of the table.

He added: "Signing players is all part of management and this time of the season is particularly busy but I cannot remember being as excited about a signing as this for some time which is a fantastic statement given the quality of player we already have in our squad.

"I must thank Arsene Wenger for agreeing to this loan transfer and of course [Arsenal legend] Liam Brady who I understand spoke so highly of us.

"At the start of this transfer window I said our signing targets would in the main be quality additions and this is a great start. I would hope that by early next week we have some further great news but at present it is work in progress."

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line

    England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012

  2. In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012 In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012

    The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament

  3. The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution

    The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market

  4. Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job

    The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday

  5. Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms

    The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield