Manager Keith Hill has told Dale PlayerHD that he is impressed at how quickly loan signing Joel Castro Pereira has settled in at the club.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper joined Rochdale on loan from Manchester United earlier this month and has made a good impression since his move from the Premier League club.
After featuring in a closed doors win against Burnley midweek, Hill was full of praise for the youngster.
The Gaffer told Dale Player HD: “He has brought an energy to the football club and he has brought an energy to me.
“For me, it was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen behind closed doors. I was so excited about the way he managed the game and was involved in every second of that game.
“His training ground manner is so professional and it’s brilliant for me that the senior players and the younger players can see what an exceptional talent he is.
“His training ground manner is so professional and it’s brilliant for me that the senior players and the younger players can see what an exceptional talent he is.
“His application to that talent and his all-round ability and keeping goal in general is magnificent. Did I know that he was a good goalkeeper? Yes. Did I know that he was an excellent person? I wasn’t too sure. Sometimes players come from bigger clubs with big egos but there is absolutely no ego whatsoever. He’s one of the lads but he’s got a professionalism that I would liken to Craig Dawson, John Stones and Scott Hogan when he came back to the football club.
“It has been surprisingly good how he has rolled his sleeves up and mucked in – it has been absolutely superb. He has made a massive impression on me and hopefully the rest of the players as well.”
The full interview is on Dale PlayerHD.