Despite much speculation over his future, Port Vale midfielder Ryan Lloyd has opted to remain on loan with Chester for the rest of the season.
Lloyd initially joined Chester on loan until the New Year and was then the subject of a rumoured £10,000 permanent transfer bid by Southport. However, Lloyd has made it clear that he prefers to stay with Chester who are managed by former Valiant Jon McCarthy.
I’d also like to place on record my thanks to Port Vale for allowing this to happen…
Chester CEO Mark Maguire thanked Port Vale in a statement on the official Chester website commenting: “There has been significant speculation surrounding Ryan, what was really clear is that everybody at Chester Football Club values Ryan’s contribution and we were very, very keen to extend his stay with us.
“We had to meet the challenge of offers from other clubs, but we protected Chester FC by remaining professional, patient and sticking by our principles.
“It is a credit to the environment created by Jon McCarthy that Ryan expressed his desire to be with the club, and I am sure the news will be a huge boost to the fantastic supporters of the club who are part of the reason Ryan wants to be here.
“I’d also like to place on record my thanks to Port Vale for allowing this to happen.”
The midfielder has been a professional at Vale Park since 2010 but in six years he has made just two starts and sixteen sub appearances as he failed to cement a regular place in the starting eleven. However, since joining Chester he has been a regular pick in the starting eleven.
Lloyd is out of contract at the end of the season and as he is out of favour with the Valiants he will be expected to subsequently join Chester on a permanent basis.