Football: Magnus Norman joins Rochdale from Fulham

Magnus Norman

Magnus Norman has joined Rochdale AFC from Premier League side Fulham FC on loan until January 2019.

Capped by England under-18s, Norman joined Fulham in June 2006, aged just nine, and has gone on to represent them at every academy age group. He is currently the longest serving professional at the club.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper has had three previous loan spells away from Fulham, including at Southport.

Highly rated, he signed an extension to his Fulham contract earlier this year, keeping him there until the summer of 2019, although the club does have an option in their favour.

Norman said: “I have played in the Conference and in the Conference South on loan, so this is the next step up for me and it is where I want to be. I want to be playing games in the EFL, so I am pleased to get the opportunity to come here. It is all well and good playing for the under-23s, but I need to experience men’s football and now is the right time for me to go and do that.”

Dale manager Keith Hill said: “Magnus has already got the principles with regards to how we play in his DNA and he will put heavy pressure on the goalkeepers that we have got at this football club. He is different to the goalkeepers that we have got in that he is 6ft 3, so he already fills the goal.

“It is important that he puts pressure on the goalkeepers that we have got. I feel as though there hasn’t been enough pressure on Josh [Lillis], and that is why I have brought him in. He has come to be competitive and I hope that it gives a competitive keen rivalry for all the goalkeepers.”