Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Christian Walton has sealed a short-term return to boyhood club Plymouth Argyle on a two-month loan spell.
The 20-year-old had been closing in on a temporary switch to Home Park after the Pilgrims lost Luke McCormick to a groin injury.
Plymouth have confirmed Walton's arrival, with the deal being pushed through in time to make the Truro-born youngster eligible to feature in this weekend's Devon derby clash with Exeter City.
Speaking to Argyle's official website, boss Derek Adams said: "We've got good competition for places now, with the likes of Luke, James [Bittner] and Cory [Harvey]. We have four that can vie for the No. 1 position. I'm hopeful Luke will be fit fairly soon but I needed to cover all bases and Luke is progressing well but with the window shutting in less than a week's time, then I can't be left short.
"I had a few options of goalkeepers from different clubs and I just thought it was important to take in somebody that knew the football club. It gives him an opportunity to hopefully get some games. He can vie with James Bittner for that. He's coming back his home club and he's not played here before, and I think that it will be a good move for him.
"He is at a stage in his career where he needs to play matches. He's a very tall goalkeeper; he's agile; he's quick; and he's a communicator as well. He's only 20 years of age but he's had a good grounding at Plymouth Argyle to start with and he's moved on to the bigger stage at Brighton."
Walton, who has made four appearances for Albion since joining in 2013, will return to his parent club on January 3.
Daniel Lewis
