Cobblers snap up Hornet

Northampton Town have signed Watford youngster Ryan Gilligan.

The midfielder/striker joins the League Two club after The Cobblers decided to take over Gilligan's youth trainee scholarship at Vicarage Road until the end of the season.

Despite remaining a trainee, Sixfields boss Colin Calderwood has given the 18-year-old a first team number for the coming season.

"He is a young player who I have seen a lot over the last two years," Calderwood told the club's official website.

"He can play in midfield or up front, and like Bradley Johnson, even though he is a young player, he will be involved with the first team squad."

One youth player that has left The Cobblers is defender Liam Dolman after he joined non-league Aylesbury United on 'work experience' terms.