Notts County announce loan signing of Liverpool midfielder Matty Virtue

Notts County have announced the loan signing of Liverpool Under-23s captain Matty Virtue on a deal until the end of the season.

The Magpies were left reeling following Ryan Yates's recall from parent club Nottingham Forest but have moved quickly to bring in a replacement in the middle of the park.

Virtue is highly rated at Anfield and has been singled out for praise by academy manager Neil Critchey, who says he has been outstanding this season for the Under-23s and is also a great role model for his teammates.

"It's a massive opportunity for me," Virtue told the Notts site.

"It's my first loan move - I've needed to come out and get games and this is the perfect place with the gaffer and the experienced players in the squad.

"Coming here to work with Kevin Nolan was a huge pull. I want to be a goalscoring midfielder and I think I can learn and progress a lot under him.

"He has seen me play and knows what I can bring to the team. He has shown faith in me by bringing me to the club.

"I think I've been playing strongly at under-23 level and shown what I can do, which has helped me get this move. Playing against senior professionals is the next step in my career and I'm here to learn.

"I'm a box-to-box midfielder who likes to get up and down the pitch and chip in with a few goals. I want to work hard and bring energy to the team.

"I spoke to Jordan Williams yesterday about his experience here a few seasons ago; he was full of praise and told me to come here and enjoy it."

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