Mansfield Sign Riley Harbottle On Loan From Nottingham Forest – Sport Grill

League Two’s Mansfield Town have signed defender, Riley Harbottle on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest.

Harbottle joined Forest’s youth academy as a young child and has since graduated through their individual age group ranks, which saw him sent out on loan to National League’s Wealdstone in 2020-21 season where he started in all 11 of his appearances.

Last season saw Harbottle return to Forest where he made his senior debut in a 2-1 First Round win at home to Bradford City in the EFL Cup, before again starting in Forest’s eventual 4-0 home loss to Wolves in the Second Round.

The 21 year-old consequently spent the rest of the season playing for Forest in PL2 Division 2, where he scored once in 12 appearances which came in a 3-0 home win against Sunderland in March as Forest eventually lost to Stoke in the play-offs after finishing the regular season in fourth place.

His performances however caught the eye of Mansfield who have swooped to sign him on a season-long loan deal, where he will be joined by his Forest teammate – Will Swan who has already moved to Field Mill on loan.

Mansfield manager, Nigel Clough upon signing Harbottle said that he was “very pleased” to sign the 21 year-old, who was amongst two players – alongside Swan who Clough had wanted to sign on loan from Forest after fending off League Two rivals for their signatures.

Clough proceeded to explain why he has brought Harbottle in on loan as he commented: “We need some defensive competition and he’ll provide that for us.

“We have Elliott Hewitt and James Perch out today so Riley will start in today’s friendly against Rotherham United.

“He has some experience in the conference with Wealdstone in 2021 so this will be his first loan experience in the Football League.”

Harbottle could make his competitive debut for Mansfield away at Salford City on the opening day of 2022-23 League Two season on 30 July, as the Stags look to challenge for promotion after they lost last season’s Play-Off Final to Port Vale at Wembley Stadium.