Arrival | Harker signs on loan

Blyth Spartans are delighted to announce the capture of Newcastle United goalkeeper Nathan Harker on loan until early-January.

The 20-year-old arrives at Croft Park having played a regular part in the Magpies' under-23s set-up and has experienced life around the first-team at the Premier League club.

During the 2018/19 season. Harker featured in all five of United's Checkatrade Trophy fixtures before exiting at the quarter-final stage to League One side Sunderland.

Following a hip injury sustained by Mark Foden in Sunday's 3-2 Texo Challenge Trophy win over Aberdeen, manager Lee Clark acted quickly to secure Harker's services. 

It will be Harker's first loan of his career, and the Toon shot-stopper is pleased to be given the opportunity at a club he grew up around.

"It's great to be joining Blyth Spartans. It is a club with a lot of history," said Harker.

"Being a local lad myself from Morpeth, I have known the club growing up, so for my first loan to be here is a good feeling.

"It'll be good to get out on the pitch and get some experience. It's a big opportunity.

"I'm hoping to achieve a lot on the pitch while I'm here. It's a fresh squad and I want to help them push for the highest league position they can."

Harker, after training with his new teammates on Thursday, goes straight into the squad ahead of Saturday's National League North opener with Gloucester City.