Salford City signs Millwall’s goalkeeper Joe Wright on loan
Salford City has welcomed Millwall goalkeeper Joe Wright to its ranks, with a loan deal that extends until January.
The 22-year-old keeper brings with him experience from the Championship and National League South, having been part of Millwall’s set-up since he was 13.
Wright’s journey through Millwall’s academy saw him named in a couple of Championship and Carabao Cup matchday squads in 2020.
Seeking senior experience, he joined Cray Wanderers on loan in the Isthmian Premier Division during the 2021-22 season.
He later moved up to the National League South with Bath City for the 2022-23 season, where he kept three clean sheets in 14 outings. Unfortunately, his tenure there was cut short due to injury.
After his recovery, Wright rejoined Millwall’s Under-21s and was part of the side that won the Professional Development League Southern Division, culminating in a national title win with a 2-1 victory against Sheffield United.
Wright expressed excitement about his move to Salford City, saying: “I’m delighted to be here, it’s a great opportunity for me to come to a fairly new Club, rising through the ranks, and there’s great ambition here so I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
He plans to challenge for the starting spot in the lineup, stating: “I’m hoping this year I can play a few cup games and challenge Cairnsy for the number one spot, I wouldn’t come here to not challenge so hopefully I can get something out of it, work hard every day in training and see where it gets me.”
Wright is also eager to integrate into Salford’s style of play.
“I’ve seen some clips online and seen the boys playing, they do play a lot so I’m looking forward to that. A good thing is they want the ball and I can trust them with it so hopefully it’ll be a good experience, pretty football is fun and when the rewards come from it it’s even better.”
Former Aberdeen winger Connor McLennan has joined Salford City on an initial one-year deal just weeks removed from his Dons release.
A youth international with Scotland; McLennan was one of six released by the club earlier this summer having returned from St Johnstone where he spent the season on loan.
The 23-year-old is the next to find a new home after both Matty Kennedy and Marley Watkins joined Derek McInnes at Kilmarnock.
On the move, McLennan told the Salford City club website: “I’m delighted to be here, I honestly can’t wait to get started!
“I’ve had some good conversations with the manager, I’m really intrigued to come and play for the club. He’s told me about the style of play we like to play here, I’ve seen it for myself in parts last season too.
“The team was so close to getting promoted last year so I’m here to try and help with success.”
Explaining his decision to head south of the border, McLennan recalled a previous partnership he had with another former Dons forward.
He added: “I fancied a change, I know a few boys down here and Callum Hendry I played with at Aberdeen, I played against a few of them up the road as well.
“Coming down here is a new challenge, and once I spoke to the manager it was something I’m really looking forward to doing.
“I don’t think Callum had to encourage me much more to be fair, it’s a really good club and he really emphasised the style of football that we play. That’s all you really want as a footballer is to play for a club that plays good football and I’m looking forward to it.
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Targeting promotion with the club, McLennan is keen to get going in the north-west, with his deal currently subject to international clearance.
He said: “I want to try and help the team as much as I can, bring my abilities to the team, the club, and I don’t think it’s any secret we want to try and go one step further than last year and try and go for promotion so that would be success.”
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