Town boss Lee Clark has today captured highly-rated Liverpool and England under-19 defender Martin Kelly on loan for the rest of the 2008/09 season.

The 18-year old Liverpool Academy graduate, who is equally at home both at right-back and centre-back, has already appeared for the Reds in the Champions League this season and will go straight into Town's squad for this weekend's League One trip to Hereford United.

Standing at 6' 3", Kelly is naturally strong in the air, in the challenge and also possesses genuine pace and an elegant style. He graduated from the Liverpool Academy in the summer of 2007 and was part of their reserve side that won the League and Dallas Cup last season - leading to him being awarded the number 34 shirt in Rafael Benitez's squad ahead of the current season.

His one and only appearance in the famous red shirt of Liverpool to date came in the Champions League at PSV Eindhoven back in December, where he played quarter of an hour as a substitute during a 3-1 win.

Kelly put in an outstanding performance during England under-19's 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic in Walsall last night, where one of his teammates was Town's own Alex Smithies.

Town boss Lee Clark told htafc.com how that the loan move is part of his planning for next season:

"We have been watching Martin during his games for England and Liverpool's reserve side and all the reports we have received have been very good. He was outstanding for the England under-19 side during their draw with the Czech Republic last night and looks to have a very bright future in the game.

"I am delighted to have him here for the rest of the season, as it allows us to have a look at him with a view to a potential loan move in the future.

"He is from the Liverpool school so he is obviously comfortable on the ball, but he also has real pace and genuinely enjoys defending."

Kelly will wear the number 29 shirt during his stay at the Club.

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