McDonald loaned to Bristol Rovers
Port Vale have loaned central defender Clayton McDonald to League Two rivals Bristol Rovers until the end of the season, the official club website has announced.
The deal includes a recall clause that would allow Vale to bring the defender back after the first 28 days of the deal have expired.
The move appears to spell the end for McDonald’s Vale career as the 24 year-old is out of contract at the end of the season.
McDonald joined the Vale in 2011 and at six foot six inches tall he became the tallest player in the club’s history.
His first season at the club was mainly overshadowed by a high-profile rape case which also involved the Sheffield United striker Ched Evans. McDonald was eventually found “not guilty” by the jury and was offered a new one-year deal in the summer of 2012.
McDonald was a regular for much of the first part of the season but he fell out of favour following the acquisition of experienced duo Darren Purse and Liam Chilvers in the January transfer window.
He was dropped after the 2-0 home defeat to Fleetwood on New Year’s Day and has not been involved in first-team action since.
McDonald’s Vale career
Games: 48+11
Goals: 1