We’re delighted to announce the arrival of Magnus Norman from Premier League side Fulham FC.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper joins Dale on loan until January 2019.
Capped by England under-18s, Norman joined Fulham in June 2006, aged just nine, and has gone on to represent the Whites at every Academy age group.
He’s had three previous loan spells away from the Craven Cottage side, including at Southport. Highly rated, he signed an extension to his Fulham contract earlier this year, keeping him there until the summer of 2019, although the club does have an option in its favour.
After putting pen to paper, Norman commented: “I’ve played in the Conference and in the Conference South on loan, so this is the next step up for me and it’s where I want to be. I want to be playing games in the EFL, so I’m pleased to get the opportunity to come here. It’s all well and good playing for the under-23s, but I need to experience men’s football and now is the right time for me to go and do that.”
Manager Keith Hill added: “Magnus has already got the principles with regards to how we play in his DNA and he’ll put heavy pressure on the goalkeepers that we’ve got at this football club. He’s different to the goalkeepers that we’ve got at this football club in that he’s 6ft 3, so he already fills the goal.
“It’s important that he puts pressure on the goalkeepers that we’ve got. I feel as though there hasn’t been enough pressure on Josh [Lillis], and that’s why I’ve brought him in. He has come to be competitive and I hope that it gives a competitive keen rivalry for all the goalkeepers.”