Shay Facey joins the Millers on loan until the end of the season...
Rotherham United have completed the signing of Manchester City defender Shay Facey on a Standard Loan.The versatile operator has signed a deal with the Millers until the end of the season to become boss Neil Redfearn’s first signing during the January transfer window which opened this morning.
Facey, who has been training with the Millers in recent weeks, has represented England from under 16 right through to under 20 level, and can play either as a right back or a central defender.
“Shay is an outstanding young talent,” a delighted Neil Redfearn told www.themillers.co.uk
“He is a utility defender, he’s 20-years-old and he can play at right-back or centre-back. He has blistering pace, he is very aggressive and he can deal with the football. He is someone that Manchester City rate really highly, he has already been out and played some loan games in America, so he has come back over here and he is looking to gain some experience in this country.”
Facey, who last year had a loan spell with New York, is the second player that has joined the Millers from the Premier League giants in recent months, after the arrival of midfielder Brandon Barker.
“For us to have the links with the Manchester City’s of this world is great,” Redfearn continued.
“They obviously feel that their lads are coming into a good environment for them, which is credit to us and the club, so it is a great signing for us.”
The 20-year-old will now face a battle to break into the Millers’ starting 11, which has performed well in recent weeks after recording victories over Hull City and Bolton Wanderers. Following defeat at Fulham last time out, Redfearn has acted quickly to help bolster his ranks as the Millers look to get back to winning ways this afternoon at Preston North End.
“The first thing that he has to try and do is get himself in the team,” Redfearn said of the Manchester-born ace.
“He has been here now for two or three weeks so he has had chance to have a look at us, and we have had a look at him. He will be really looking forward to the challenge, like I have said he is an outstanding player, but physically he can also cope and that is what struck me most about him when he came in. He has the pace, physique and a front foot aggressive attitude to go and play.”
There is a full interview with Neil Redfearn on the signing of Shay Facey on Millers Player HD now.