Rochdale manager Keith Hill has bolstered his squad with the loan signing of defender Josh Thompson.  The 19-year-old has signed a season long deal with Dale and Rochdale boss Keith Hill is delighted to have him on board.

"Josh is an excellent signing for us.  He's still young but he is an outstanding talent and he is a player we believe we can develop and give him first team opportunities too.  He has presence and spped and he is an England Under 19 International too, he a good profile player for us.

"He has experience after playing for Celtic last season and he has come to fight for a place at Rochdale.  It gives us good competition for places because we are short in that department.  Craig Dawson and Marcus Holeness have done very well so far but we definately need another central defender and he is a quality signing.

"Josh is looking forward to coming to Spotland and we are very much looking forward to working with him."

According to www.celticfc.net Bolton born Thompson, signed for Celtic in August 2009 from Stockport County and arrived in Glasgow with an impressive reputation. He made nine appearances for Stockport in his debut season under current Motherwell boss Jim Gannon and caught the eye of Manchester United, training with the reigning English champions towards the end of the season.

Tony Mowbray also took the centre-half on trial at West Brom and moved quickly to secure his signature after taking over at Celtic Park. Josh made his unofficial first team 'debut' in Celtic's recent friendly against Benfica in Toronto, Canada and caught the eye with a solid, mature performance.

The club would like to welcome Josh to Spotland and hope his stay is a fruitful one for both himself and Rochdale AFC.