BURTON Albion have signed Coventry City’s leading goalscorer Marvin Sordell with Stuart Beavon and Callum Reilly making the switch to the Sky Blues.
Sordell, a 25-year-old striker, joins the Brewers initially until June, with Beavon making a permanent move to the Ricoh Arena and Reilly going out on loan until the end of the season.
Sordell has Premier League experience with Bolton and Burnley and was part of the England youth set up at U20s and U21s level. He was also in the 2012 GB Olympic football team.
He is a product of the Watford youth system and played more than 70 times for the Hornets in the Championship, scoring 21 league goals before moving to Bolton in a £3 million deal.
Sordell spent last season at League One Colchester, playing against the Brewers in November 2015 at the Pirelli Stadium.
He signed for League One Coventry in the summer and is the club’s leading goalscorer so far this season.
Stuart Beavon joined Burton Albion in 2014 from Preston and has played a key part in the Brewers back-to-back promotions. He has been the fans’ choice as Burton Albion Player of the Season for the last two years.
Callum Reilly joined the Brewers in the summer of 2015 from Birmingham City.
Brewers boss Nigel Clough is pleased to have started his business early in the transfer window and to have secured the services of Sordell.
He said: “Marvin has Premier League experience but has lost his way a little bit over the last couple of seasons and this gives him the chance to prove he has still got it in the Championship.
“He has scored goals generally throughout his career and has got a few in League One this season. It’s an opportunity now for him to show us what he can do until the end of the season.”
Clough believes that Beavon’s switch to Coventry is a good move for the striker.
“I think to play regular football is the most important thing for Stuart at his age now. He’s not been able to force his way in this season and he goes with our best wishes and thanks for all that he’s done for the club. His place in Burton Albion history is assured and the level we are at now he played an important role in getting us there but unfortunately things come to an end. Coventry are still a big club and it’s a good move for him.
“Callum also needs to go and play football and I think it’s a good deal all round for both clubs.”