Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage has confirmed the club has agreed a deal to sign West Ham United teenager Preston Fearon on a short-term loan. The 19-year-old midfielder, capped by England at Under-20 level, is set to join the National League side for an initial period of one to three months to gain his first taste of senior football.
Savage revealed the move as his side prepares to lose several players during the forthcoming international break. Forest Green currently sit seventh in the National League with 12 points from seven games, having won four of those matches. Their recent form shows two consecutive victories, including a 4-0 win over Gateshead last Friday, following a run of three straight defeats.
Savage on the squad challenge
"We're very fortunate. We have four internationals, which is unprecedented at our level," Savage told reporters. The manager explained that the club had been actively seeking loan additions to cover for these upcoming absences, and Fearon emerged as their target. The young midfielder, who has yet to make a senior appearance for West Ham, had other options but has been granted the opportunity to develop in Gloucestershire.
What Fearon brings
Savage believes the teenager will inject fresh qualities into his midfield options. "He'll bring energy, he'll bring creativity, he'll bring skill, he'll bring work ethic," the manager said. "For him, it's his first senior football for loans." The deal is understood to be a straight loan without an option to make the move permanent at this stage.
The addition comes at a useful time for a Forest Green side that has scored 11 goals but conceded 10 in the league this season. They are five points behind leaders Boreham Wood as they look to maintain momentum. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on the club's fixtures page, while the full squad list will be updated upon Fearon's formal registration. The formal confirmation from both clubs is expected in the coming days, with the player likely to join training after the international window.
