Wolverhampton Wanderers academy analyst Matt Jackson has explained why the Premier League club are looking to the League of Ireland to advance young players.
The Saints signed highly-rated Northern Ireland under-21 defender Jack Scott from Wolves on a season-long loan last week.
He’s one of four loanees so far signed by Tim Clancy following the arrival of full-back Adam O’Reilly from Preston North End and keeper Joe Anang from West Ham United.
Defender James Abankwah will also spend the first six months of the season on loan from Udinese after completing a move from the Athletic to Serie A on Wednesday.
Liverpool loanee Vitezslav Jaros was named the club’s player of the year and Soccer Writers’ goalkeeper of the year last season after helping Pats to FAI Cup success.
Alfie Lewis was another successful Premier League loan from West Ham United before he moved permanently in the summer and has now joined Plymouth Argyle.
Other sides have made use of the UK loan market, which is more inclined than ever towards Ireland since Brexit limited the movement of British passport holders to the continent.
Dundalk brought in Welsh under-21 international Dan Williams from Swansea City earlier this month, while Drogheda have signed Sean Roughan and Sam Long from Lincoln City.
And Jackson, who won the FA Cup with Everton during a career that also saw stints with Norwich and Wigan Athletic, feels the League of Ireland is a great stepping stone.
Strategic player marketing manager Jackson said: “Jack has been progressing really well since arriving at Wolves.
“Having an Irish background, together with his international experience, the move looks to be a natural fit.”
He added: “We really like the way the leagues are developing over in Ireland, and they provide a very competitive experience for the players going into senior football.
“It is going to be a slightly different experience for Jack because he’s going over to play in what is essentially a summer league.”
The potential benefits of playing European football is another factor under consideration for academy coaches as they seek to find the most advantageous loans.
Saints’ second-place finish in the Premier Division last season earned them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, which kick off in July.
“He’s joining a team who did very well last season and one that can give him the opportunity to gain European experience through the course of this summer.
“They [will] take part in qualifying for the Europa Conference League, which will be brilliant for him and his continued development.”
