Cambridge United have swooped to complete a duo of deadline day loan signings, with exciting youngsters Jake Doyle-Hayes and Hayden Coulson switching to the Abbey Stadium until the end of the season.
Doyle-Hayes, 20, follows Rushian Hepburn-Murphy in arriving at the U’s from Aston Villa to provide further competition in the centre of the pitch for United.
The central midfielder has been with the Villans from the age of 15 having been scouted in Ireland and has since progressed through the Club’s youth ranks, and made three senior appearances including his professional debut against Wigan Athletic in August 2017.
Doyle-Hayes has also represented the Republic of Ireland at U17, U18 and U19 level, and like Hepburn-Murphy reunites with Head Coach Colin Calderwood with whom he worked alongside at Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, 20 year-old Hayden Coulson also joins the U’s on a loan deal until the end of the season from Middlesbrough. The left-sided youngsters is capable of playing both in defence and in midfield and therefore bolsters United’s first team squad across a number of areas.
A product of Boro’s academy where he has been since the age of 12, Coulson spent the early stages of the current season in the SPL for St Mirren where he made his first 11 senior appearances, scoring his first professional goal against Dumbarton.
He has featured on the international stage, representing England at U16, U17 and U18 level.
Commenting on the deadline day arrivals, Head Coach Colin Calderwood said: “We’re delighted to have strengthened the squad with the addition of both Hayden Coulson and Jake Doyle-Hayes.
“Hayden has a good delivery, good speed and can dribble well with possession of the ball. He adds competition to the wide areas which allows us to make changes to personnel whilst maintaining pace within our front line.
“Likewise the addition of Jake as a central midfielder, increases the competition in order to make the squad better. He is a young man who I believe will develop into a very good player, and having seen him train before is extremely capable.
“I certainly feel both these young men have the potential to have great careers, and in the short term will add to what we have already got here.”
Meanwhile, Head of Football Ben Strang added: “Both players add to our options in midfield, providing us with depth and quality. We thank both Middlesbrough and Aston Villa with their help in facilitating the deals and look forward to welcoming Hayden and Jake into the group.”
Hayden Coulson will wear the U’s number 27 and Jake Doyle-Hayes will wear number 28.