Fleetwood Town youngster Jay Matete has joined League Two strugglers Grimsby Town on loan for the rest of the season.
Matete is Paul Hurst’s third signing since returning to Grimsby in late December.
Matete joins hoping to gain some valuable experience and get some football under his belt.
Grimsby Town Sign Jay Matete on Loan From Fleetwood Town
✍ CONFIRMED!
Grimsby Town Football Club are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder, @jay_matete on loan from @ftfc until the end of the season.
Full details 👇🏾https://t.co/JRWEvyey7Y#GTFC
— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) January 21, 2021
Matete Has Made Handful of Appearances
Predominately a midfielder, 19-year-old Matete arrives a Blundell Park hoping to further his football education and play some games. He has made seven appearances for Fleetwood in League One this season.
Matete is highly thought off at Fleetwood having joined as a scholar from Reading in 2017. He has impressed the Fleetwood hierarchy and signed his first professional deal in February 2020.
He joins a Grimsby side fighting to preserve their football league status. Paul Hurst is revamping the squad after recently returning to the manager role at the club. Matete becomes his third new signing as he plots a survival route for the Mariners.
The talented teenager is a central midfielder who likes to get forward and start attacks. He is also a lover of the dirty side of the game, breaking up attacks and producing hard tackles. Grimsby have lacked creativity and goals this season with only Southend United and Stevenage managing fewer goals.
Matete could make his debut in this weekend’s crucial derby clash with Scunthorpe United. A win for Grimsby takes them out of the relegation zone and above their local rivals.
Matete Ready to Showcase Abilities
Speaking to the Grimsby website about his move, Matete said: “I am excited to just come and down to play football.
“I just want to come in and help the team. I enjoyed it today, it was a good session. There was a lot of energy and a good atmosphere as well within the squad.
“I wanted to get out on loan so I spoke to my agent and told him what I wanted and when I heard that Grimsby were interested, I thought it would be a great experience. I like to get on the ball, I like running with the ball and I like tackling, I’ve come here to hopefully show people what I can do and build and become a better player.
“I had a little chat with the manager and he told me to just play my game, enjoy the experience and just help the team. We’re in a bit of a relegation battle at the minute aren’t we, so I just want to come in, help the team get out of this position and stay in the division and I definitely think I can help.
“I have trained today and there are definitely some good players here so if we get going, string a few wins together then I don’t think we will have a problem staying up.”
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