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Notts County secure Manchester United defender Sonny Aljofree on season-long loan

By PON_News

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Notts County has strengthened their defense by bringing in Sonny Aljofree, a centre-back from Manchester United, on loan for the season.

Aljofree, who's just 20, is getting a lot of praise at Old Trafford. He’s even been the captain for both the Under-18s and Under-23s teams.

Last season, he really made a name for himself with Accrington Stanley. He played 27 games and even scored three goals. Because of how well he played, he snagged two Man of the Match awards while he was at the Wham Stadium.

Director of Football Roberto Gagliardi believes Notts have pulled off a real coup by bringing Aljofree to Meadow Lane, beating off competition from several League One clubs in the process.

“Sonny has all the traits of a modern-day defender – balancing an aggressive playing style with the ability to distribute the ball from the back,” said Gagliardi.

The young defender has demonstrated his versatility across the back line, operating mainly in a back four for United’s youth teams but also showing his adaptability on the right of a back three during his stint with Accrington.

“He’s capable of playing anywhere across the defensive line, mainly being deployed in a back four for Manchester United but often on the right of a back three during his impressive loan at Accrington,” Gagliardi added.

Born into a football family, his father, Hasney Aljofree, played for Plymouth Argyle, among others. Sonny comes with a strong pedigree and has already shown signs of leadership, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed at Carrington.

“Sonny’s maturity is reflected in the leadership roles he’s been given and the high esteem he’s held by United. Combined with the fact he’s the son of former Plymouth defender, Hasney Aljofree, he has a very strong footballing pedigree,” Gagliardi said.

Aljofree was on the Manchester United team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022. He can also play for Singapore's national team if he gets the chance.

As Notts gear up for the new campaign, fans will be hoping Aljofree’s arrival adds depth and steel to the back line as the club looks to build on last season’s progress.

“We faced strong competition from a number of League One clubs to sign him, and we look forward to supporting his continued development,” Gagliardi concluded.

Join in with the Pride of Nottingham by sharing your thoughts on the 20-year-old defender, Sonny Aljofree, who has signed on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

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    Grand Master

    NottsTastic

    Members

    Cracking signing this, exactly the type of player we needed at the back!

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    thommo

    Members

    Always nice to see a player come in with a bit of family history in the game too, think it gives them that bit of extra grounding. Hasney was a decent pro back in the day, so Sonny will have grown up around the right habits. United fans seem to rate him highly and if he does well here it’s a win-win. Just hope we can give him enough minutes to really kick on. Great that the club are being proactive early instead of waiting around.

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    liampie

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    most players his age by now are released by united, so he has something about him and being loaned out last season gives him plenty of experience. i dont read much into it when the club says they beat off bigger clubs, as i think its more about the player wanting to be a part of the right environment and i think we do offer a lot for a young player. hope he enjoys playing at meadow lane and in front of us notts fans. we will make him feel at home.

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    Robbie

    +Supporters

    He's a very good signing by Notts & he comes to the club with a very good reputation.

    Coming from Man United too is a great coup for Notts. The Man U academy is one of the best, if not the best academy in the Country.

    I don't think that he would have come to Notts if he wasn't going to play a fair number of games in the Notts first team. I think that Martin Paterson has a lot to do with him coming to Notts.

    Another good thing about this signing is that Notts are getting a good reputation for bringing on academy players signed from PL clubs.

    George Abbott was a success story. I wouldn't bet against Sonny Aljofree having the same impact & success.

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    NiftyNick

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    Good pedigree and sounds like he’s got the right attitude too, welcome Sonny!

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    Sir Magpie

    Members

    I really like that we’re going for young players with something to prove instead of short-term panic signings. Sonny’s got leadership experience, good technique and sounds like he’s not afraid of a challenge. That’s the sort we should be taking a chance on.

    The fact we saw off League One competition says a lot about how we’re viewed now too. A season with us playing regular football should do him the world of good. If he kicks on, he’ll help tighten us up at the back which could be the surprise signing we needed.

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    OoooooTommy

    Members

    Impressed with this one, no nonsense. He’s already got experience in League Two so he shouldn’t be shocked by the physical side. Scored a few for Accrington as well which means he could chip in from set pieces, that’s always handy. You can’t teach height and bravery and it sounds like he’s got both. Let’s see how he does, but on paper this is very tidy business.

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    Blake

    Members

    It’s a great signing, and not just because he came through United’s academy. That’s not the main reason to be excited. What really stands out is that he’s got something to prove. He picked us over other options, and that says a lot. It shows he wants to play and make an impact.

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