Cobblers seal deal to sign Derby County defender Lelan

NEW SIGNING - Josh Lelan has joined the Cobblers from Derby County

The 20-year-old, who can play right back, in central defence or in midfield, was spotted by Town’s head of recruitment Martin Foyle.

Foyle recommended Lelan to manager Chris Wilder, and he has decided to give the youngster a chance at Sixfields.

Lelan came through the youth ranks at Derby, but never made a first team appearance for the Rams.

A regular in Derby’s Under-21 Premier League team, Lelan has played senior football though, enjoying a month-long loan stint at Gateshead in 2013, and a two-month spell at Swindon Town in Sky Bet League One last season.

In all, he has made six senior starts and four substitute appearances, and will provide competition at Sixfields for Brendan Moloney, as well as the central defenders.

“Josh is a good age at 20, he is mobile and is a good size at six foot,” said Foyle.

“He is tenacious and honest, and I think that is the type of player we need to rack the squad up with, players with a chance of getting into the first team.

“They are the type of players I have been looking at for Chris Wilder and Alan Knill, and hopefully Josh will come in and get off to a good start.”