AFC Fylde is delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Michael Roxburgh on loan from Sky Bet Championship side Huddersfield Town. 

The Coasters beat the National League North transfer deadline to add Roxburgh to the squad ahead of the final nine games of the season. 

Standing at 6ft1, the shot-stopper joined the Terriers’ Academy in 2019 from Hartlepool United and was a regular in their U17s side during his debut campaign. 

Previously on the books of Stockton Town and Sunderland, Roxburgh now joins Adam Murray’s side temporarily for the rest of the season and a potential play-off campaign.

Following his addition, Director of Football Chris Beech said: “Whilst Chris Neal deserves great credit for being very professional in respect to being available for every league game so far, and for me, performed exceptionally well at Kings Lynn on Tuesday evening, it is pivotal we have cover in that position going beyond the deadline.

“As a Team, we have credited 14 clean sheets to date in the league, and while pushing other attacking factors to our game back in December, we had five in 19 league games. Challenging both staff and players, we set out to achieve 20 in total with the remaining 27 league games.

“With no guarantees in football, while assuming nothing, we have nine more opportunities to gain six more clean sheets. Michael will support Chris and the team’s mentality with this task in hand.

“It was important our Goalkeeping department, when questioning the National League, was strengthened. They advised in advance of the deadline we can only loan an emergency option beyond that date, and the goalkeeper in question can only be loaned from our existing league or leagues below.

“From what I’m used to, this is different to EFL stipulations, and from the National League’s perspective, it’s to help protect the integrity of the competition.

“This narrowed the market down moving forwards, so to remove any doubt, we decided to commit to Michael following a recruitment meeting discussing other available viable options.

“Michael, for a young GK, has already played many non-league games, and at the age of 20, he has an opportunity to support our squad and possibly earn a contract moving into next season.

“We wish Michael well here at AFC Fylde, and I would like to thank Paul Clement and Karen Jagger (Club Secretary) at Huddersfield Town for their support and assistance, along with our own Phil Heald, who as a volunteer, has gone above and beyond, providing great support and assistance.”

Michael added: “I’m happy to be here and sign for AFC Fylde. I’m looking forward to getting going until the end of the season and hopefully helping us get over the line and achieve the goal of promotion.”