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Hall resurfaces at Burton

Back in the game: Hall, above in action for Toronto FC, has joined Sky Bet League Two side Burton Albion

Freddy Hall, the Bermuda goalkeeper, will be looking to secure a permanent deal at Burton Albion after signing for the Sky Bet League Two side until the end of the season.

Hall has been without a club since being released by Major League Soccer team Toronto FC in December 2012, following the appointment of Ryan Nelsen, a former Tottenham Hotspur defender, as head coach.

The 29-year-old, who made three appearances for Northampton Town during the 2011-12 season, returned to England in November 2013 in the hope of resurrecting his stuttering career at a new club.

But, with no takers for his services during the January transfer window, Hall was advised by his agent, Dan Chapman, to team up with Fred Barber, a freelance coach and former Walsall goalkeeper, who organised his opportunity at Derbyshire-based Burton.

It is likely that Hall will serve as back-up to first choice goalkeeper Rob Lainton, who has made 15 appearances since joining Burton on loan from fellow League Two side Bury.

Intriguingly for Hall, Burton are firmly in the promotion picture, lying fifth in the league table, and with Lainton’s extended loan expiring before the play-offs, the former St George’s Colts player could find himself bestowed with the number one jersey at a crucial stage of campaign.

It is understood that Gary Rowett, the Burton manager, will officially announce the signing of Hall today.

Paul Scope, the Bermuda Hogges owner, helped facilitate Hall’s move to Burton with the help of his friend Andy Powell, who has connections with AFC Bournemouth.

Scope praised Hall for his perseverance and determination to return to the professional ranks and expected him to seize his exciting opportunity with both hands.

“Freddy has been in England for some time as we wanted him there for the January transfer window,” Scope said.

“It’s difficult for keepers to get placed nowadays as the big clubs are the only ones carrying more than two or three keepers.

“Then, if smaller clubs have a keeper injured or suspended they go to the big clubs and get a keeper on loan. This can suit the big clubs as it gets young keepers experience, such as Bermuda’s Dale Eve who was recently on loan at Fleetwood Town.

“After the January window didn’t produce anything, we went on overdrive and Freddy travelled the country on trials and workouts with a specialist goalkeeping coach, Fred Barber, who organised the Burton opportunity.”

Hall, who made eleven appearances for Toronto in the 2012 season, had been assisting the coaching staff at Premier Division side St George’s before leaving for England in the hope of reviving his career.

He was first offered trials in England in the winter of 2009 at Charlton Athletic, then in League One, but opted to finish his studies at Quinnipiac University, in Connecticut, where he was coached by Shaka Hislop, the former Newcastle United and West Ham goalkeeper.