Rangers have signed Heaton on 3 months emergency loan.
EXCLUSIVE: UNITED KEEPER PENS LOAN
Posted on: Sat 15 Aug 2009
Rangers have swooped to bring highly-rated Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton to Loftus Road.
The 23 year-old stopper - who has three England Under-21 international caps to his name - has joined on an emergency three month loan deal and is will go straight into Jim Magilton's squad for today's Championship fixture against Plymouth Argyle.
"I'm delighted we've been able to bring in a keeper of Tom's calibre to the Club," Magilton told QPR | QPRFC Scores, News, Transfers, Fixtures.
Article continues
Advertisement
"We need competition for Radek (Cerny) and Tom will provide that. He's a good keeper, who knows what it takes to play in the Championship.
"He comes highly-rated, by both Sir Alex Ferguson and our own goalkeeping coach, David Rouse, who worked very closely with him at Old Trafford."
Heaton, who joined the Red Devils in July 2002 as a teenager, enjoyed great success in the youth ranks at Old Trafford, before cementing his place as the first choice for United's second string.
The 2005/06 season saw his progress somewhat impeded, however, as loan spells at Swindon Town and Antwerp failed to yield the desired amount of action, and the 2006/07 campaign saw him back as the Reserves' first choice goalkeeper.
Heaton continued to perform solidly throughout the season as Brian McClair and Jim Ryan's side narrowly missed out on a third successive ***RL North title and were beaten in the final of the Manchester Senior Cup.
There was also the bonus of several unexpected brushes with First Team involvement, as injuries to Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak saw him promoted to the senior substitute's bench on eight occasions during the 2006/07 campaign, although he was never called into action. He did, however, play the second half of the UEFA celebration match at Old Trafford in March 2007 when United entertained a European XI managed by Marcello Lippi.
The England Under-21 international found himself on the bench ten times during the 2007/08 double-winning season, but was once again left disappointed by a lack of First Team opportunities.
At the beginning of the 2008/09 campaign, Heaton began a season-long loan with Championship side Cardiff City. Bluebirds boss Dave Jones quickly installed Heaton as his first choice keeper, ahead of Finland international Peter Enckelman.
Under the terms of his loan deal, Heaton - who will wear squad number 22 - will be able to feature for the R's in the Carling Cup.
EXCLUSIVE: UNITED KEEPER PENS LOAN
Posted on: Sat 15 Aug 2009
Rangers have swooped to bring highly-rated Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton to Loftus Road.
The 23 year-old stopper - who has three England Under-21 international caps to his name - has joined on an emergency three month loan deal and is will go straight into Jim Magilton's squad for today's Championship fixture against Plymouth Argyle.
"I'm delighted we've been able to bring in a keeper of Tom's calibre to the Club," Magilton told QPR | QPRFC Scores, News, Transfers, Fixtures.
Article continues
Advertisement
"We need competition for Radek (Cerny) and Tom will provide that. He's a good keeper, who knows what it takes to play in the Championship.
"He comes highly-rated, by both Sir Alex Ferguson and our own goalkeeping coach, David Rouse, who worked very closely with him at Old Trafford."
Heaton, who joined the Red Devils in July 2002 as a teenager, enjoyed great success in the youth ranks at Old Trafford, before cementing his place as the first choice for United's second string.
The 2005/06 season saw his progress somewhat impeded, however, as loan spells at Swindon Town and Antwerp failed to yield the desired amount of action, and the 2006/07 campaign saw him back as the Reserves' first choice goalkeeper.
Heaton continued to perform solidly throughout the season as Brian McClair and Jim Ryan's side narrowly missed out on a third successive ***RL North title and were beaten in the final of the Manchester Senior Cup.
There was also the bonus of several unexpected brushes with First Team involvement, as injuries to Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak saw him promoted to the senior substitute's bench on eight occasions during the 2006/07 campaign, although he was never called into action. He did, however, play the second half of the UEFA celebration match at Old Trafford in March 2007 when United entertained a European XI managed by Marcello Lippi.
The England Under-21 international found himself on the bench ten times during the 2007/08 double-winning season, but was once again left disappointed by a lack of First Team opportunities.
At the beginning of the 2008/09 campaign, Heaton began a season-long loan with Championship side Cardiff City. Bluebirds boss Dave Jones quickly installed Heaton as his first choice keeper, ahead of Finland international Peter Enckelman.
Under the terms of his loan deal, Heaton - who will wear squad number 22 - will be able to feature for the R's in the Carling Cup.