Zech Medley has joined Kilmarnock on loan for the rest of the season after Arsenal recalled him from Gillingham.
James Benge reported earlier in the day that Zech Medley was among a growing list of Arsenal youngsters who could be on the way out of the club on loan on January transfer deadline day. Arsenal were working on it, but at that stage, which club he would join still wasn’t finalised.
It is now official.
A statement on the Arsenal site said, “Zech Medley has been recalled from his loan with Gillingham and has moved to Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.
“The 20-year-old defender, who joined us as a scholar from Chelsea in November 2016, had been on loan with the League One side since August and has moved to Kilmarnock to continue his development.”
A statement on the Kilmarnock site said, “Zech Medley has joined Killie on a loan deal from Arsenal until the end of the season, subject to Scottish FA approval.
“The 20-year-old will add to the club’s defensive options following recent injuries to Kirk Broadfoot and Stuart Findlay.
“Having started his career in Chelsea’s youth system, Zech joined his boyhood club Arsenal midway through the 2016/17 campaign.
“He has since featured in the Europa League and FA Cup for the Gunners.
“Described by Arsenal as a tall and powerful central defender, Zech spent the first half of this season on loan with League One side Gillingham making 18 appearances.”
Medley was on loan with Gillingham for the first half of the season, making 18 appearances for the League One club. However, he returned to Arsenal earlier this month, joining training with the u23s as he waited for them to secure him another loan.
There’s no word yet on Trae Coyle, who also returned to Arsenal in the January window after a loan to Gillingham. The fact that we’re a few hours away from the deadline with no updates suggests he’s now more likely to stay with the u23s.
It would obviously be ideal for Medley to get another move to the end of the season. He got his first taste of senior football this campaign, so returning to the youth game would feel a bit disappointing.
Let’s hope he takes his chance.