GRIMSBY Town boss Paul Hurst says new signing Sebastian Revan can use his loan spell at Blundell Park as a springboard to the big time.
Left-back Revan, 18, has joined the Mariners on a season-long loan from Premier League side Aston Villa.
And Hurst is urging the youngster to follow in the footsteps of Conor Townsend, another fullback who spent two separate spells with Grimsby before establishing himself in the Premier League with West Brom.
“Seb's a player that I watched a lot towards the end of last season after I was made aware of him,” said Hurst. “He was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning team, I watched the semi-final and final, and he certainly impressed in those games.
“He's a very athletic player who can get up and down the pitch well, has got a good delivery so he will add competition and we're excited about him.
“A full season will help him develop. We've done that with players in the past like Conor Townsend having two spells and he's gone from strength to strength and is in the middle of a very good career, so, hopefully, we can do the same sort of thing for Seb.”
Revan, left, who signed his first pro contract in March and has never been out on loan previously, was signed primarily to provide competition for first-choice left-back Adam Crookes. But Hurst believes the teenager is also capable of playing in a more attacking left-sided role or at wingback if the Mariners switch to a back three.
Revan added: “I'm a leftback who likes to get forward. I am very good at one versus one defending, I like to attack and get balls into the box and hopefully get lots of assists.
“I'd like to get a lot of minutes for men's football, so when Grimsby came in I was very interested. It's going to be a good club for my development and to get more used to the men's game.”
