Manchester United goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel has joined Barclays Women’s Championship club Coventry United on an emergency loan deal.
The Red and Greens announced the news via a post on their official club Twitter account this morning.
The arrangement will initially only cover this weekend’s Barclays Women’s Championship fixture against Blackburn Rovers at the Butts Park Arena, however, the Warwickshire side do have the option to extend Middleton-Patel’s stay beyond the international break.
Coventry United already have one Manchester-based teenage goalkeeper on their books with Manchester City’s Khiara Keating also on loan with Lee Burch’s side, so Middleton-Patel will be in good company as she vies for a starting spot.
Coventry United currently sit bottom of the Barclays Women’s Championship table, five points adrift of safety. It would be an incredible feat if the club were able to stave off relegation once again after their heroics on the final day of last season.
Middleton-Patel becomes the latest in a long line of new recruits to be brought in by Coventry United head coach Burch so far this season. A near-brand new team was assembled ahead of the season while Burch has added several new faces to his group over the last six weeks as Coventry United bid to complete that dramatic late escape from relegation to the FA Women’s National League.
Coventry United still have a huge mountain to climb but latest recruit Middleton-Patel can play a part, even if it does only turn out to be for one game.
NEW SIGNING 🔥
We can announce that @ManUtdWomen goalkeeper, Safia Middleton-Patel has joined us on an emergency loan 👊
The 18-year-old will be available for our league game tomorrow afternoon. #CUWFC pic.twitter.com/ABIreMy28P
— Coventry United FC – Barclays Women’s Championship (@CovUtdWomen) February 11, 2023