BANBURY United have signed Burton Albion teenager Ben Radcliffe on loan.

The versatile youngster joins from the Sky Bet League One side ahead of Saturday’s Vanarama National League North opener against Curzon Ashton.

Radcliffe can play in several positions including centre back, central midfield and wing back and is highly-rated by the Brewers.

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The 18-year-old was named scholar of the year at Burton’s end of season awards and signed his first professional contract in June.

It came after a successful spell at Mickleover Sports in the Northern Premier League last term.

Radcliffe trained with Banbury last night and manager Andy Whing is thrilled to have him on board.

He said: “Burton absolutely love him and it’s great they’ve trusted us with him.

“We do our homework on players, he had a great spell at Mickleover last season and we spoke to (manager) John McGrath. He was absolutely over the moon with him.

“He can play in a number of positions so gives us great balance within the team as well.

“He’s a great lad doing degrees away from the pitch, so it shows the type of lad he is.

“He’s got a good size about him and a good ability.

“Burton have said he’s one of the best they’ve had in recent years as an academy product, so we’re lucky to have him.”

Radcliffe is Banbury’s third summer signing after Jak Hickman and Josh Smile, with the Puritans retaining most of last season’s squad ahead of their first campaign in National League North.

Whing is not done yet, though, and hopes to complete another signing before the trip to Curzon.

He said: “We probably need one or two more by Saturday.

“I’ve been on the phone to someone this morning and we’ll hopefully get a forward in by Thursday.

“If we could get one more in by the weekend that would be great, two would be even better.

“But we’re in a really good place and whoever we get in I don’t think it changes too much what we do on Saturday.”