Cobblers take Zieler on loan

United’s German keeper Ron-Robert Zieler has joined League One side Northampton Town on-loan until January.

The Cobblers will see England U21 stopper Frank Fielding return to his parent club Blackburn Rovers on December 13th and manager Stuart Gray was keen to act quickly before the loan deadline and bring in goalkeeping cover for the hectic festive period. Having secured the services of Zieler until the transfer window re-opens in January, Gray told Northampton’s official site that “(Ron-Robert) is another young player with a fantastic pedigree and we are looking forward to him joining us.”

Ron-Robert joined United in 2005 from his hometown club 1. FC Köln and immediately established himself as number one in United’s academy side in his debut season. The following season saw the teenager get his first reserve appearances under his belt whilst competing with Ben Amos for the starting role at Academy level, and he was in net for both legs of the Reds’ heartbreaking 2007 Youth Cup Final defeat to Liverpool on penalties.

Last season saw Ron-Robert share goalkeeping duties for the reserves with Tom Heaton, his form earning him the starting role in both United’s Manchester Senior Cup Final win over Bolton in May and in the Germany team that stormed to victory in the summer’s European Under-19 Championships. His performances in that tournament cemented his reputation as one of the continent’s most promising young keepers, and a loan spell at some point this season looked a strong possibility. After struggling to get as many games at reserve level as he would like so far (due to the presence of Ben Foster, Tomasz Kuszczak and Amos), this opportunity to go out on loan at Sixfields and accrue some valuable senior experience is an ideal one for both club and player.