Brentford have already moved one first-team player out on loan ahead of the new season.
Brentford have revealed that goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe will spend the 2024/25 season on loan at Scottish Premiership club St Mirren.
The shot-stopper has been with the club since he was eight years old, but he has only made one first-team appearance for the Bees. That occurred in a Carabao Cup match against Newport County in August, when the shot-stopper helped his team advance to the second round on penalties.
Balcombe appeared on the bench in a few of Brentford’s early Premier League games last season, but his playing time was restricted in west London. He had previously spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Crawley Town and Bristol Rovers, although those experiences were marred by injury.
Brentford bought Iceland goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson from Swedish club Elfsborg in January for about €3 million, increasing competition for Mark Flekken’s backup slot. The Bees also have Thomas Strakosha and Matthew Cox at their disposal, while David Raya is poised to join Arsenal permanently this summer.
Brentford confirmed the news on their club website, writing: “Goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe has joined Scottish Premiership side St Mirren on a season-long loan ahead of the 2024/25 season.”
“Balcombe has been with the west Londoners since the age of eight and made his first-team debut against Newport County in August, saving two spot-kicks during a penalty shootout victory in the second round of the Carabao Cup.”
Balcome will report to former Bournemouth midfielder Stephen Robinson at St Mirren. The team finished fifth in the Scottish Premiership last season, earning a berth in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round for the current season, which might provide Brentford’s goalie with his first taste of European football.
