We continue Youth Development Week by gaining an insight into the value of loan experience in a young player's journey.
Over the summer, striker Michael Reindorf joined League Two outfit Newport County, while Isaac Jefferies joined Cymru Premier champions The New Saints, and Morgan Wigley moved to Barry Town United, all on loan for the 2025/26 season.
Their moves see them continue to gain experience in the men's game, which will aid them in their development.
Speaking about the outgoing loans, U21 head coach Darren Purse stated: "The loan experience is huge. You look at the players that have gone out, they're the most experienced of the group. We try and do everything on an individual basis and do what's best for each individual player.
"With Isaac for example, after having an ACL injury in the 2023/24 season and missing a year, he then had a full year with our U21s last season trying to get back to full fitness and now he gets an opportunity to go out on loan.
"With Morgan, it's probably been a bit stop-start for him in his two years with the U21s due to injury, but now that he is fit, he has an opportunity to go and prove himself in the men's game.
"We talk about the word 'opportunity' regularly with our U21s squad. It's about grasping them when they come along and going out on loan is no different."
At First Team level, we have seen the value of loan experience notably through Joel Colwill, who spent last season at Cheltenham Town and Exeter City.
The midfielder made a real impression with the Robins, where he scored nine goals in 29 appearances for the League Two side. Stepping up into the Bluebirds' First Team this season, Colwill has contributed with consistently industrious performances, as well as earning his international debut for Wales.
Reflecting on his time at Cheltenham Town, Joel told club channels earlier this season: "It was a really good time for me, my first test going out on loan in men's football. The manager and the coaching staff were brilliant with me and I have a lot of friends who are still at the club.
"It was nice to score a few goals for them and I was happy to repay the faith that they showed in me. The loan experience is really important, going out and getting minutes in men's football. It's about proving yourself in the men's game and that can really benefit your career.
"At Exeter City, going up to League One, again the staff were brilliant, but I didn't score the goals that I wanted to there. I probably learned more from my loan there about my positional play. I had a good time there, played around 20 games and the experience was important for me."
The 2024/25 season also saw a taste of men's football for goalkeeper Ewan Griffiths, who spent time at Plymouth Parkway.
A talented shot-stopper, Ewan's time out on loan saw him experience different challenges to Academy football such as dealing with the physical demands of the game, as he explained.
“It was a good move for me.” Ewan began. “I needed the game time and taking the step to playing men’s football was great for me. I learned a lot, both on and off the pitch, but especially off it. Being in the changing room with the squad was an experience I learned a lot from.
“Playing U21’s, you play the ball more on the floor and you don’t come across as many teams that like to play it longer. Playing every week against men who want to play the ball in the air, it becomes more of a physical battle. I’m grateful as a young goalkeeper to get that experience and it’s only going to help in my development, and I was lucky to get that last season.
“I think I’m a better player than I was before, but I think it’s helped me mentally more than anything. I knew of my abilities but tactically and mentally since coming back off on loan has helped, on the pitch and in the changing room.”
Speaking of his loan development and what he learntedfrom his time at the Southern League Premier South side, Ewan continued: “It’s great for you, not only as a footballer but as a person because it makes you more independent. It was a big learning curve and in different surroundings. Even the travelling side of things, finding my way around a new environment was tough at first.
“But the way the captain at Plymouth Parkway was during last season helped a lot. The way he stood up in difficult times and spoke both before and during games helped us get through it. I took a lot from him, and I’ve tried to implement that when speaking to the lads in training and in games.”