Nelson Khumbeni has joined Accrington Stanley on a half-season loan to gain another taste of first-team football in League Two.
The Wanderers’ midfielder enjoyed a successful spell at Morecambe last season, starting 19 games to help the Shrimps secure a mid-table finish.
His only goal came in a 2-1 win at Accrington and Khumbeni now joins the Reds where he will again work with Ged Brannan, Morecambe’s manager last season who has subsequently returned to the Crown Ground as Stanley’s assistant boss.
Khumbeni also played nine games on loan at National League side AFC Fylde last season after a goal-scoring appearance for the Whites in their 8-1 EFL Trophy win over Manchester United’s U21s.
Wanderers exercised an option to extend Khumbeni’s contract during the summer and after featuring in part of the Whites’ pre-season preparations, the former Norwich City youngster – who joined Wanderers’ B Team in the summer of 2022 – will now get the chance to gain further first-team experience at Stanley.
Khumbeni’s deal with Stanley runs until mid-January as he follows Max Conway – who last week joined Crewe Alexandra on loan – in moving from the B Team ranks to League Two on a temporary basis as part of their player development pathway.
Wanderers boss Ian Evatt said: “The Morecambe manager from last year has gone back to Accrington as part of their coaching set-up and staff and Nelson had a great time there.
“It’s important he continues his development with playing regular games and this gives him that opportunity.
“He’s very local to us still so we can keep a close eye on him and we wish him well and all the best and hope he gives a good account of himself and of us.”
Accrington have lost their first two games of the campaign and open their home programme against Harrogate Town on Saturday with Khumbeni set to be included in their squad.