Burton Albion have signed the defender Emeka Adiele on a season-long loan from the Dutch club FC Utrecht. The 19-year-old began his career in West Ham United's academy, making eight EFL Trophy appearances for the club's Under-21 side before he moved to the Netherlands. He made two substitute appearances in the Eredivisie last season as Utrecht finished sixth.
Adiele arrives as Burton head coach Gary Bowyer continues to address a threadbare League One squad. Nineteen players left the Pirelli Stadium after last season's escape from relegation, leaving Bowyer with a squad of fewer than 20 heading into the new campaign.
"We need help, it's easy to see that," Bowyer said this month. "We have trained with 12 or 13 this week." He added that despite the shortage, the group had "become very tight as a group."
Adiele follows the midfielder Will Collar, who arrived on loan from MK Dons four days earlier as Burton's fifth summer signing.