With the loan window still in full flow before the start of September, Rovers have made use of the window, by adding another face to their midfield, in the form of Southampton midfielder, Harrison Reed, who joins on a season-long loan deal from the Premier League outfit.
The 23-year old central midfielder, joins the club following a solid season in the Championship with Norwich City, which saw Reed pick up 39 league appearances for the Canaries, which included 1 goal and 4 assists, whilst impressing in his performances, despite the lack of goals. Described by Southampton’s official website as a ‘tenacious and hardworking midfielder who also boasts a great range of passing’, he will no doubt be key for Rovers’ midfield once the number of games increase, due to rotation being necessary.
After breaking into the Saints’ first-team in 2013, Reed has spent a lot of the years in between making sporadic appearances for Southampton’s first-team, whether that being off of the bench in league matches or starting in both domestic cup competitions. Following on from his domestic appearances for the Saints, the 23-year old has some Europa League experience, having played a cameo role in both games vs Vitesse Arnhem during Southampton’s 2015-16 Europa League qualifying games.
Despite being mainly a fringe player at St. Marys, Reed is valued highly by both, the development and the first-team staff at Southampton, meaning that they clearly have plans for him in the future, once he gains the experience of playing, week-in, week-out, something which Tony Mowbray clearly has a plan for.
Not only has Reed shone at club level, but he has been involved in the England setup, mainly at the 2015 Toulon Tournament, when he, alongside the likes of clubmate Jack Stephens and full international, Jordan Pickford, got to the semi-finals of the tournament, before falling to a 2-1 defeat against the United States.
With Reed stating in February 2018 to the Eastern Daily Press, that he’d be prepared to leave Southampton permanently – despite having a contract until 2021 – if they were intent on keeping him in the under-23s squad, this loan move provides Reed with the perfect opportunity to learn about Rovers and how they play, with a potential thought of making the deal permanent, if his demands down at Southampton aren’t met.
Once Reed had come through the doors at Ewood Park and signed the paperwork, the clubs’ media team wasted no time in speaking to the midfielder about the move.
“I’m absolutely delighted. I heard about the interest from Rovers last week and have been excited to get up here ever since. Once I had spoken to the manager, learnt about his style of play as well as how he wanted to use me in his squad, the decision to join Blackburn became an easy one for me.
“I would describe myself as a ball-playing midfielder who loves a tackle! I like to keep possession, spread the ball and join in attacks late on to try and pounce on any loose balls. Everything I’ve seen from the club, is positive as they’re pointing in the right direction. I think the boys were unlucky not to have more points, but their start has been great and I’m looking forward to joining up with them.
“I felt like I greatly improved after getting exposure to some first-team at Norwich and I’m looking forward to continuing my development at Blackburn. I can’t expect to walk into a team, and for me, it’s now a battle for me to earn my place in the side.”
