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Archived News from January 2015

STAGS SIGN LEFT-BACK CALLUM ELDER ON LOAN
9th January 2015 17:59


Stags sign left-back on loan
mansfieldtown.net, 8th January 2015

Highly-rated teenager joins on a month-long loan from Premier League Leicester City.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/stags-sign-left-back-on-loan-2189705.aspx#tJcwCTGSfTABh08P.99

Manager Adam Murray has made his fourth signing of the transfer window by snapping up young left-back Callum Elder on a month-long loan from Leicester City.

Elder, 19, is an Australian youth international who has featured regularly for the Foxes’ development squad over the last few seasons - including two performances in the newly-formed Premier League International Cup, where he helped his parent club achieve wins over Benfica and Schalke 04.

An energetic full-back, the teenager is a willing runner down the flanks and possesses an excellent delivery on his left foot.

“Callum is somebody that I’ve had my eye on for a long time now,” said our boss. “I’ve watched him over the last couple of years playing for Leicester’s Under 21s and the standard of that is quite high as they’re playing top teams from around the world.”

He continued: “Leicester have got one of the strongest sides around this area and the Midlands, and I think Callum is known as possibly the best left-back at Under 21 level in the region.

“So for us to grab him is a massive coup and I’m over the moon.”

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Mansfield Town sign young left-back Callum Elder from Leicester City, with Michael Raynes move also close
Nottingham Post, January 08, 2015

Mansfield Town have signed teenage left-back Callum Elder on a month’s loan from Leicester City, and are close to completing a deal for Michael Raynes from Oxford United.

Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Mansfield-Town-sign-young-left-Callum-Elder/story-25825608-detail/story.html#ixzz3OEka2juV

Australian youth international Elder has been a regular for City’s Development Squad, including making two appearances in the newly-formed Premier League International Cup, where he helped his team beat Benfica and Schalke 04.

Stags boss Adam Murray though, will have no qualms about throwing him straight into first-team action.

“He’s someone I’ve had my eye on for a long time now,” Murray said of the 19-year-old.

“I’ve watched him over the last couple of years playing for Leicester’s Under-21 group, and the standard of that is high.

“They’re in the Champions League now so are playing top teams around the world and are beating them.

“Leicester have got one of the strongest sides around the Midlands at Under-21 level.

“To people in football, at that level, Callum is known as possibly the best left-back in that region.

“For us to grab him is a massive coup for us and I’m over the moon.

“We hadn’t got a left-back in the club, so it was a major thing for us to get the right one.

“Callum has got a wonderful left foot, he’s energetic, he’s young, he’s hungry and he wants to show everyone how good he is.

“Leicester think really highly of him.

“It’s a chance for us to get a really good player in a position we’ve been lacking.”

“We looked at it before the signings and we didn’t even have 1,000 games in the dressing room.

“When you are in situations where you need that little bit of experience, that bit of nous, these are the players you count on to pull you out and keep you in games.

“He’s an organiser and another leader that will come into the group. He will help the boys around him.”

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twitter
Callum Elder @CallumElder_
Happy to have joined @mansfieldtownfc on loan. Looking forward to experiencing league football

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Elder keen to grab loan opportunity
mansfieldtown.net

Australian full-back out to prove a point following loan switch from Leicester City.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/elder-keen-to-grab-loan-opportunity-2191773.aspx#rOmCyEei5tT3F22L.99

Left-back Callum Elder can’t wait to sample senior football following his loan switch from Leicester City.

The 19-year-old, who is part of the Foxes’ development side and has played against Benfica and Schalke 04 in recent months, penned a one-month loan at One Call Stadium yesterday.

Elder is thought extremely highly of by his parent club and boasts good pedigree, having also appeared internationally for Australia at Under 20s level.

“It’s my first loan move so I’m obviously here to experience the Football League and see what it’s all about. I’m a young lad at 19, but I want to get out there and test myself in men’s football,” said Elder.

“I moved to England when I was 16 and I’ve been at Leicester for three seasons now. I’m really enjoying it there at the minute, but the club and myself thought it was the right time now to experience league football and that’s what I’ve come to do at Mansfield.

Asked what swayed his decision to join us, the teenager continued: “I think [it was] the positive interest the club had in me. I’ve heard they were interested in me this season and last season, so to finally get the chance to come here and play for a club like this is a big thing for me and I’m looking forward to doing well.”

The Australian could make his debut tomorrow afternoon when we make the short trip down the road to Sky Bet League Two promotion candidates Burton Albion.

Although he is yet to taste senior football, Elder is hopeful that he can adapt to what’s required quite quickly.

“I’ve heard a lot of things from some of the other lads that have been out on loan and they say [this league] is a physical test and it’s dealing with the crowds on a Saturday at three o’clock,” continued the teenager.

“I haven’t experienced that yet, but I think I’m a mature player and will be able to handle it.”

“The thing I’m looking forward to most is pulling the shirt on, going out there with the lads and playing for the three points and hopefully moving up the league table.”

He added: “With my first loan I’m hoping to prove to both Mansfield and Leicester that I can handle it. I’ve just completed my first training session here and there’s a great bunch of lads, and they seem to all work hard for each other, so if I can come in and help the club move up the table, that will be great.”

Describing his own playing style, Elder said: “I’d like to say that I’m an attacking full-back. I like to get forward and make an impact up the pitch, but I also know my role as a defender which is to come into the team, do well as a back four and keep things solid and keep clean-sheets.”

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good video interview with Callum Elder on StagsPlayer.

Says he was aware the club were interested in him last season and this season.

Australian, was scouted by Leicester 3 years ago and moved to this country as a result.
Made his Australia youth team debut last year.

Looking forward to his league debut on Saturday. Has made contact with Billy Kee, who also lives in Leicester - sounds like they will travel in together.

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Latest | January 2015