Ipswich Town U21s goalkeeper Henry Gray has joined National League South side Chelmsford City on loan.

The 18-year-old has been the regular number one for John McGreal's side, but has made his first loan move away from the Blues, joining a club who sit eighth in the sixth tier.

He signed a two-year professional deal with the Blues this summer following a trial last season, joining from New Zealand Central League outfit Waterside Karori.

Grey is a New Zealand U20 international, representing the All Whites at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, where they reached the Round of 16 in May. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Finley Barbrook joined Chelmsford City on loan in October.Finley Barbrook joined Chelmsford City on loan in October. (Image: Roger Robinson)

The keeper is the second player to join the Clarets on loan this season, joining up with U21s team-mate Finley Barbrook who has made seven appearance since joining in October. 

The Clarets also have a former Town player in their ranks in the form of midfielder Anthony Wordsworth, who signed for the Essex side this summer. 

Manager Robbie Simpson spoke about the signing: “Obviously with the unfortunate injury to Josh Oluwayemi, in which it seems that he will be out for some time, we wanted to act pretty quickly ahead of the festive period and wanted to have 2 keepers in.

He continued: "Jacob Marsden (former Town academy keeper) has stepped in and done ever so well but we have had Henry training with us a couple of times now and we really like him as a person, obviously knowing Finley very well, and he looks to have all the attributes to be a top, top keeper."

"He is highly regarded at Ipswich and Carl Pentney, who we know very, very well, said that he is ready for this next stage in his development and playing mens football. Carl thinks that he will be more than capable at being a very good keeper at this level."

Grey could make his debut tomorrow as they travel Oxford City. 

Town players currently out on loan

Corrie Ndaba (Kilmarnock), Kyle Edwards (Oxford United), Idris El Mizouni (Leyton Orient), Panutche Camara (Charlton), Gassan Ahadme (Cambridge United), Zak Bradshaw (Woking), Cameron Stewart (Cove Rangers), Jack Manly (Leiston), Ben Haddoch (Stowmarket Town) Finlay Corrigan (Leiston), Finley Barbrook (Chelmsford City), Matt Ward (Braintree Town), Nico Valentine (Needham Market), Harry Barbrook (Braintree Town), Charlie Binns (Felixstowe & Walton United), Seth O'Neill (Stowmarket Town), Henry Gray (Chelmsford City).