Boreham Wood Football Club are delighted to announce the loan arrivals of England Under 20’s goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe and Denmark Under 20’s striker Justin Shaibu from Brentford.
Both Balcombe and Shaibu have signed on long-term loans and will be available for tomorrow’s trip to Havant and Waterlooville.
Danish Under 20’s forward Shaibu began his career with Danish Division One side HB Koge and even won their Talent of the Year award in 2014, in his breakthrough campaign.
The explosive striker would earn a move to England with Brentford in 2016 and then a callup into the first team just a month later. He started on the bench against Exeter City in the EFL Cup and replaced Emmanuel Ledesma to make his debut.
Following 10 goals in just 18 games for the B team, Shaibu became a regular on the bench for the Bees first team, which earned him a fresh three-year contract. The striker has also spent time on loan in League One with Walsall.
A tall and powerful striker with great pace and energy, Shaibu has stated that he models his playing style on Romelu Lukaku.
Following an opening day win over Dagenham & Redbridge, Shaibu’s pace and power upfront will add a deadly and physical presence to the Wood’s attack.
Shaibu said: “I was very pleased when I got the call to say that I had an opportunity to come here and play minutes and help the team, I am very happy to be here.
“The boss has said that I have got an opportunity to come here and get some game time and that if I perform, then I will play a lot of minutes.
“I think that the style of play here suits me, so I am just very pleased to be here. I think that I am powerful and quick, and I like to run in behind.
“The pitch here is world class and I am looking forward to getting onto it and playing some first team football.”
England youth international Balcombe joined The Bees as a youngster and worked his way through the ranks, up to the Brentford B team, and has appeared on the bench in the Championship for the Bees.
Capped by England at both Under 18s and Under 20s levels, Balcombe was a part of the Three Lions team that famously won the 2017 Toulon Tournament.
The under 20s number one also played a starring role in the Brentford B team who won the Kai Thor Cup in Denmark, making a vital penalty save in the final.
The stopper arrives as a joint number one, alongside Ryan Huddart, and the pair will both compete with one another for the goalkeeping starting berth.
Balcombe elated: “It will be good to play men’s football and to get a taste of the league. It is obviously a great opportunity for me to show what I can do.
“I think that I am good with my feet and I like to play, I believe that I am powerful and strong.
“I have been involved in competitions with the England youth teams where you have got to win, and you have the winning way instilled into you, so it will be good to get that experience in the league as well.”
On the double capture, Luke Garrard said: “I think that it is good business, especially after seeing them in training today. I have watched them and done a lot of homework on them and spoke to a lot of people in regards to them.
“Until you have them in the building and work with them first hand, you never know really how good they are. But, I have been very impressed with the pair, they will strengthen us in the forward areas and give us competition for Ryan Huddart.
“Ellery is an England international and he has just come back from a Championship with the England squad. That tells you exactly what he is about as a player, he is a good size – 6ft 3in – he commands his box, and he has great distribution.
“Justin is sharp and he’s bright. He is fit, he runs channels with an intent and has an eye for goal, so, I am very happy with the pair.
“After I spoke to them, they were very intent on coming. I don’t need to sell the club, but I sold the club in regards to the facilities, the pitch, and the manner in which we go about our business.
“I just asked them about their first impressions and they were very positive. They are coming into a group who work hard and as long as they marry up with that, then they will go far.”
