Rochdale Announce Loan Signing Of League Two Defender

McNulty Makes Swoop Following Injury Blow

Rochdale currently boast the National League’s best defence with just 13 goals conceded ahead of their Friday night game against Altrincham. However, an injury to key defender Sam Beckwith is likely to have a significant impact on their back line over the coming games.

The impact of Beckwith’s absence was highlighted on the latest National League Lowdown podcast by co-host Mark:

“That is a massive, massive loss for them and they’ll need to get someone of equal quality in pretty soon.”

On this basis, Jim McNulty’s side have turned to Milton Keynes Dons defender Charlie Waller. The defender joins Dale with big boots to fill and will likely play a big part with Rochdale facing nine fixtures between now and the end of January in both league and cup.

Waller has previous experience at National League level, having spent the first half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Sutton United. The 20-year-old made 25 appearances for the U’s in all competitions, scoring one goal.

The young defender predominantly played in a back-three for the South London side and impressed during his brief loan spell. MK Dons opted to recall him just days before the January transfer window and went on to make eight appearances in League Two.

Is Charlie Waller A Good Signing For Rochdale?

With 40% of Rochdale’s wins coming by a single goal so far this season, it is clear to see why the league leaders were keen to sign a short-term replacement so soon after Beckwith’s injury was confirmed.

The 20-year-old has the ability to win his one-on-one battles with attacking opponents, winning 6.7 and 3.1 duels and aerial duels respectively whilst at Sutton. Waller has the ability to play out from the back with stats from Sofascore showing he had a 71% passing accuracy figure in the National League last season.

League Two Lowdown podcast co-host Luke Payne had this to say of the centre-back:

“It’s a good move for him. He got a decent amount of game time last season when Milton Keynes Dons were struggling but was unfortunately injured when he would’ve had opportunities to play this season. Getting some minutes at a relatively similar level will help his development massively”.

Waller has been rated highly at Stadium: MK for a period of time and seen as a future prospect for the Buckinghamshire side. His short move to the North West could support his development and continue Rochdale’s defensive solidity as they look to win promotion back to the EFL.