City signing could be a trailblazer on the Premier League pathway

Melbourne City won't have the services of new signing Jamie Maclaren for its visit to Sydney on Sunday, a match which has a huge bearing on their chances of snaring a top-three spot.

But Maclaren will be there when City face Adelaide next Saturday – alongside a new signing who just might, if he is successful, open up a whole new seam of talent for Australian clubs to tap into for overseas players.

City on Saturday confirmed that Tottenham youngster Shayon Harrison had secured his visa and officially joined the club on a six-month loan deal until the end of the season.

Maclaren is a known quantity in the A-League, having been one of its most prolific scorers and a golden boot winner before trying his luck, with mixed results, in Germany and Scotland.

But in some ways Harrison is the more fascinating prospect as he joins City on the next step in his development pathway.

The 21-year-old from North London has played 50 times for Spurs’ Premier League 2 side and had loan spells at Yeovil Town and Southend United in England's lower leagues.

Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce has signed Tottenham’s Shayon Harrison on loan.Credit:AAP

He has also made one appearance for Tottenham's senior team, coming off the bench in a League Cup tie against Liverpool in October 2016 as well as having trained with the England squad ahead of the Euro 2016 tournament.

His pedigree as a promising youngster is obvious.

But if he proves a success he could be a trailblazer for other Premier League youngsters to round off their education with a spell in the A-League.

Up to now all to- flight English clubs have been reluctant to send their more promising young players out on loan so far away, instead sending them to lower level clubs in England.

If Tottenham's move with Harrison pays off, then other Premier League clubs might follow suit and start to regard Australia as a finishing school.

If they do, then A-League clubs will be able to tap into a talented group of players who they can get on loan to bolster their squads for part or the whole season.

Interestingly Manchester City, City's owners, have not sent any of their fringe players to Melbourne, but Tottenham has always had a robust attitude to developing their up-and-coming talents.

Harry Kane, the Premier League's leading goal-scorer and England captain, famously spent time at Leyton Orient and Leicester City while he was a youngster: might the next Kane enjoy a spell in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide or Brisbane as part of his development?

If it did happen it will make it harder for local youngsters to break through, but A-League clubs tend to fill all five visa spots if they can, mainly with strikers, so in many ways things won't change that much.

City boss Warren Joyce was glad to have secured what he believes is a very promising talent.

“I’ve been aware of Shayon for a few years and followed his development. He’s a young player with pace and creativity, and a bright future ahead of him," he said.

“Shayon’s energy and talent will give the boys a good lift for the back half of the season, and we’re confident we have the right environment to allow him to continue his impressive development this season.”

“I’m excited to come and play for Melbourne City and gain more senior team experience,” Harrison said in a statement.

“I’m looking forward to working with and learning from somebody as highly regarded as Warren. The standards he drives at the club and shares with players and coaches will help me in my development as a footballer.”

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