Teenage goalkeeper makes a loan move to AFC Fylde.

AFC Fylde’s bench for Saturday’s National League defeat at Boreham Wood contained a new face with the loan signing of George Pickford.

The 19-year-old Everton goalkeeper has signed a short-term loan deal with the Coasters, becoming their third signing of the month after Kyrell Malcolm and Luke McCormick.

Zac Jones’ absence at Meadow Park meant that, with Pat Boyes stepping up to start, Fylde head coach Craig Mahon had a gap to fill in his squad.

He said: “We’re delighted to welcome George Pickford to the club.

“George is a goalkeeper who we feel will add real quality to the group and we’re looking forward to working with him.

“We’ve got a strong group of goalkeepers here, and adding George gives us further competition and strength in an important position.”

Pickford has come through the youth ranks at Everton, featuring in their U18 and U21 sides as well as playing for England’s U18s and U20s.

The move to Mill Farm is the second loan spell of Pickford’s career so far, having spent time with Southport in National League North last season.

He played seven times for them between February and April of this year, winning three times along the way.

Pickford has also featured on half-a-dozen occasions for Everton’s U21s this season, playing in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy, Premier League 2, National League Cup and Premier League International Cup.