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Notts County has just signed a promising young goalkeeper named Harry Griffiths. He's joining the Magpies after just leaving Nottingham Forest this summer.

Griffiths, aged just twenty, is signing for Meadow Lane on a two-year contract. The club holds an option to extend his stay for an additional year.

Notts is looking at the young goalie as a long-term option after Alex Bass left for Peterborough United. Griffiths is set to step in as backup for a new main goalkeeper they're working on bringing in.

The Magpies' Director of Football, Roberto Gagliardi, said Griffiths was a player the club had monitored carefully through their coaching staff: "Our goalkeeping coach Steve Collis had an opportunity to work closely with Harry when he came to train with our first team last season. Steve was impressed with Harry's natural capabilities as well as his significant potential. We're delighted to give him a platform here to thrive and develop."

Griffiths started at non-league club Horsham FC. He joined their Under-18 team when he was just 15 years old. He soon gained praise for his mature performances. For instance, he made an excellent full-stretch save during an FA Youth Cup match against Burgess Hill. His calm displays impressed the coaches at Horsham. They gave him excellent recommendations, which led to him joining AFC Wimbledon.

His trajectory continued upward when Griffiths impressed Crystal Palace scouts during a showcase match. Rejecting a Wimbledon offer, he earned a move to Palace's prestigious new Β£20 million academy facility in Beckenham. Mark Hawthorne, a former Palace youth player and Griffiths' coach at Horsham, described him as naturally gifted: "Harry’s physique and temperament, combined with his dedication in training, were an indication of what a good player he can be."

Griffiths polished his abilities at Palace, then went back to Wimbledon for a short time before joining Forest's academy in July 2023. His growth involved temporary moves to Burgess Hill and non-league Barwell, showcasing his adaptability and competitive spirit. Despite not breaking into Forest's senior team, Griffiths displayed enough potential for Notts to view him as a future first-team prospect.

Griffiths will start at Meadow Lane as the backup goalkeeper. Notts want to sign an experienced first-choice keeper soon. However, the club believes Griffiths' youth and recent playing time set him up nicely for future achievements.

With Alex Bass leaving a notable void between the sticks, Griffiths' arrival signals a clear intent from Notts to nurture young talent carefully. Clearly excited by the challenge, Griffiths moves across Nottingham, hoping to fulfill his significant promise as the Magpies' future No. 1.

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Recommended Comments

NottsTastic

Members

Bit gutted about Bass leaving, but Griffiths could be a hidden gem. Trust the process.

He could be getting some vital experience in our pre-season, with just a week before we play Alfreton Town. Will the club be able to find a suitable number one before the German tour? I am sure they have a list of keepers, and I do like seeing young prospects given a chance. Attracting interest from Palace and Forest suggests he's got character and something special; I just hope we can bring it out more.

i hope he can come in and impress, whilst he will be the backup i think teams in the premier league would not have signed him if they did not something in him. if notts can work with him and sign a quality replacement for alex bass, then harry griffiths might just blossom in our environment. at his age he does need to get games tho.

NiftyNick

Members

You can tell the staff rate him, Collis wouldn't give praise lightly. Could surprise a few people.

Robbie

+Supporters

I think that he could be a very good signing for Notts. We shouldn't be surprised that the Notts management has gone for a young goalkeeper who has lots of potential.

Notts are becoming the go to club for young football players with lots of potential. The owners are very good at finding talent around the league & abroad, so I have high hopes for Harry & wish him well.

He will have some good experienced people at Notts who will be able to give him lots of good advice & teaching in the goalkeeping art.

Hopefully Harry will be able to progress to being the Notts number one goalie one day, but even if he doesn't, the Notts management will ensure that he is either loaned out or sold for a profit.

thommo

Members

He doesn’t seem too happy about the move, but hopefully he sees it as a chance to keep his football journey going. A good spell at Notts, getting some time in the first team, could help him work his way back to the level where clubs first noticed him.

It’s great to have a young goalkeeper with this much promise. He’s clearly well rated, and that kind of talent could be a real boost for the squad.

ExiledPie

Members

A loan move could be a good idea to help him get some game time, but it would leave us short in that position. I don’t think Notts will carry more than two experienced goalkeepers, and with this new signing and Bass leaving, it feels like only one more will arrive.

Let’s just hope whoever joins can help guide the lad and bring the best out of him.

He looks as if he’s going to be a good prospect for the future and I wish him well but I’d like to see some signings that show real intent rather than our best players leaving.

Let’s start with a good goalkeeper with proven experience to replace Bass.

allardyces tash

Members

It's hard to judge his potential without seeing him play. He doesn't appear to have much experience beyond the youth level, which makes you wonder if he's been brought in for the B team.

I've got no problem with giving the lad a chance, he must have shown something to catch the eye of bigger clubs. But I do wonder where he's going to get the experience he needs. At his age, he really should be pushing for a place in the first team.

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