Doncaster Rovers‘ busy start to the transfer window has continued with confirmation of the loan signing of a Premier League forward.
Rovers are likely to face a relegation battle in the second half of the League One season. They are currently five points adrift of Leyton Orient, who occupy 20th place.
This comes after what was an impressive return to the third tier. After seven league games, they were second in the league, but fast-forward four months and they are second bottom.
With survival likely at the forefront of Grant McCann’s mind, his side have confirmed the loan signing of Frankie Okoronkwo from Everton.
Okoronkwo “delighted” to join Doncaster Rovers
Speaking to the club’s website after his loan move to the South Yorkshire club was confirmed, Okoronkwo said:
“I’m delighted. It’s been in the pipeline for a few weeks, and as soon as I heard about it, I wanted to get it done.”He went on to explain that he’s keen to get more game time and show what he is all about.His new manager, McCann, also shared his pleasure with his side’s new signing:“Frankie is a player we’ve been aware of for a couple of years, ever since he played here against us in the EFL Trophy.“We’ve kept an eye on him. He had a really good loan at Salford last year and looked really threatening for them until he picked up his injury. And then in the first half of this season he’s been in and around a winning team at Lincoln and contributed to what they are and what they’re doing at this time.“He’s a young centre forward, powerful, quick, aggressive. He gives us the option of going in to him or go in behind teams as well.”
Can McCann get the best from Okoronkwo?
Okoronkwo spent the first half of this season on loan at Lincoln City. Despite showing promise, he was one of three loan players to depart the club.
He featured mainly from the bench, starting just three of his 13 League One appearances. His only league goal for the Imps came against Rovers in November. The attacker also chipped in with another goal in the EFL Trophy victory against Barnsley.
The 21-year-old is no stranger to temporary moves, having spent last season on loan at Salford City in League Two. He scored three league goals in 22 appearances at the Peninsula Stadium, where he was again used mainly as a substitute, starting 11 times.
Will Okoronkwo help Doncaster Rovers stay up?
It’s a big pressure to put on one player, but Okoronkwo will presumably have been signed with the aim of scoring goals to keep them in the league. He isn’t exactly prolific in the senior game thus far, scoring six goals in 44 games.
However, as Okoronkwo stated himself, he has struggled for game time. This could be a chance for him to show he’s ready to become a regular and that he’s capable of scoring goals at this level.
For Doncaster fans, they’ll likely be optimistic about the signing, given the display he showed against them back in November.