Bournemouth keeper arrives on loan at the U's
Oxford United are pleased to announce the signing of AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Shwan Jalal on a one-month emergency loan.
Jalal, 30, is a vastly experienced goalkeeper who has played over 150 games for Bournemouth during his six years with the Cherries. The Baghdad-born player began his career at Tottenham Hotspur and has also played for Woking (where he won England C honours), Morecambe and Peterborough.
The signing provides competition and cover for Ryan Clarke following injuries to Max Crocombe and Wayne Brown.
Crocombe picked up a shoulder injury during the Development Squad’s 1-1 draw with Southend last week. The New Zealand under-20 international has been advised to rest for three to four weeks and missed this week’s development game as a result. Player/coach Brown would usually act as cover but is currently on crutches following an operation after a foot injury. United currently have four goalkeepers unavailable with youth team keepers Josh Hill and Eddie Cavanagh also sidelined with wrist and ankle injuries respectively.
Jalal goes straight into the United squad for the trip to Cheltenham on Saturday and Manager Chris Wilder is pleased to have secured his services:
“He is six foot two, has won promotion from this division with Bournemouth and is a very good goalkeeper. He is someone we have seen a lot over the years and we think he will do an excellent job for us. It is unfortunate for Max because we think very highly of him but Max knows that we need someone pushing Ryan while he is unavailable and Shwan fits the bill perfectly.”