Posh have secured the signing of George Thorne from West Bromwich Albion in a loan deal.
Peterborough United have secured the signing of highly-rated West Bromwich Albion midfielder George Thorne in a loan deal that will see the England under 19 international remain at London Road until January 2013.
Thorne, who has represented his country at under 16, 17, 18 and 19 level, enjoyed a loan spell in the Championship with Portsmouth last term and has made seven appearances for the Baggies after coming through the ranks at the Hawthorns.
He became the youngest player ever to represent the club when he replaced Simon Cox as a substitute aged 16 years, 328 days, making him the youngest player to represent Albion in a senior competitive match since Bobby Hope in April 1960.
Manager Darren Ferguson was delighted with the signing with Posh beating several other clubs to secure the loan deal. ‘He is a very good player, he went out on loan to Portsmouth last season and did well and he is a player that I have seen quite a few times now. He is a good size, a very good footballer and it gives us more strength in midfield.
‘I know this is an area that we have got numbers in, but I think this offers something slightly different. It will allow us to put Michael Bostwick in at centre half, which is something that I have been thinking about for a while. It frees up more options for me because I think we need another centre half and this allows me to utilise ‘Bozzy’ there. That was a big attraction to me.
‘George is highly thought of at West Brom and we are pleased to get him because a few other clubs were in for his services, but I know he has had conversations with Saido Berahino and he said how much he is enjoying his time with us and that tipped it for us. I am looking forward to working with him,’ Ferguson said.
Chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who, once again has backed his manager, added: ‘We have strengthened our squad once again in the last couple of days with George and Dwight joining us. I, like the manager, agree that we have the biggest and best squad that we have assembled. We have got five players out on-loan, including three that were put on the transfer list by the manager, a decision that I as chairman backed his judgement on.
‘Neil Warnock said at the weekend on Sky we have one of the smallest squads in the league when in actual fact we have one of the largest with 35 players in our squad. Everyone at the club is working hard to put a good run together and move up the league table,’ MacAnthony said.