League One side Bury have made their first move of the January transfer window bringing in 21 year Manchester City keeper Ian Lawlor on loan until the end of the season.
With current custodian, Daniel Bachmann’s loan from Stoke City due to end after Saturday’s third round F.A. Cup tie against Bradford City and the club’s other keepers – Rob Lainton and Jack Ruddy struggling for fitness Bury manager David Flitcroft has moved swiftly to ensure he isn’t left without cover.
The 21 year-old Dubliner has spent the last month on loan at League Two Barnet from where Manchester City recalled him to allow him to make the move to Bury. He joined the Etihad Stadium club back in 2010 after being scouted whilst playing for the famed Home Farm club back in Dublin, a club who include Liam Brady, Ian Harte and Richard Dunne among many former players to have gone on to play at the highest level in English football.
Lawlor turned professional with City in 2012 and has been part of their Elite Development Squad since, but had to wait until joining Barnet last month before making his league debut. His performances whilst with the Development squad and with Barnet clearly impressed Flitcroft enough to make a move for 6ft 4inch Irishman who has represented his country at both under 19 and under 21 levels and received a call up to the senior squad for their summer friendlies in 2014.
Lawlor will the sixth man to appear in goal for Bury this season, where injuries have plagued the Lancashire club. As well as Lainton, Ruddy and Bachmann, fellow loan keepers Christian Walton (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Aaron McCarey (Wolverhampton Wanderers) have also appeared between the sticks for League One’s 14th placed side. Veteran keeper Paddy Kenny also signed a short-term deal with the club in November only for the contract to be cancelled after he too picked up an injury in training before making an appearance.
Lawlor goes straight in to the squad for the Bradford match and will wear the number one shirt during his time at Gigg Lane.
