New FGR defender Olly Casey became Head Coach Ian Burchnall’s eighth signing of the summer last week, joining on loan from Championship outfit Blackpool.
After a couple of appearances for the Tangerines and boyhood club Leeds United, Casey now arrives at The Bolt New Lawn in search of more first-team experience.
Here’s a look at Casey and his career so far which now sees him on board in GL6 for the upcoming 2022/23 League One campaign.
A decade at Leeds United
Born in Leeds, Casey began his footballing journey with the Whites aged 10 whilst also attending school in the city.
The centre-back played his way through the academy system in Yorkshire impressing for both the Under 18s and 23s which warranted a first professional contract just weeks after turning 18.
In December 2019 Casey made his debut and gained his only league minutes in a Leeds United shirt, coming off the bench to replace Mateusz Klich in a 2-0 victory away to Huddersfield Town.
Come the end of the season and those minutes entitled Casey to a Championship winners medal, as Leeds returned to the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
The end of the season also saw the defender sign a new contract with the club, extending his stay at Elland Road for another three years.
A first season in the top flight saw Casey make just two first team appearances in the cup competitions as he spent the larger part of the season with the Under 23s helping them win the Premier League 2 Division Two title.
That proved to be one of his last real acts at his boyhood club before departing to Blackpool in search of more first team football.
A switch to Blackpool
In the summer of 2021 as Blackpool returned to the Championship, so did Casey as he was recruited by former Seasiders boss Neil Critchley, signing a three-year deal.
Casey made both his debut and second appearance for the club in the EFL Cup playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough before being knocked out by eventual quarter-finalists Sunderland.
His league debut came in February, as he came on against Bournemouth at Bloomfield Road.
Further appearances against QPR and Stoke City followed before Casey scored his first professional goal away to Barnsley, steering home a Marvin Ekpiteta header to double the lead after a first half Owen Dale finish.
It was a strong finish to the campaign for Casey who featured in all three of the Lancashire clubs last three league games as they finished in 16th.
First loan with FGR
The 21-year-old signed for Rovers last Tuesday on a loan deal until the end of the season, as he gears up to play in League One for the first time in his career.
Casey bolsters a strong defensive contingent in Gloucestershire, joining the likes of Udoka Godwin-Malife and Jordan Moore-Taylor as a number of options to be deployed across the back three.
Its just under three weeks now until Rovers open their first ever campaign in the third tier of English football and Casey will be looking to play a big part in a historic season for FGR.
