Nathan Trott, the West Ham United goalkeeper, has joined AFC Wimbledon on loan until the end of next season.

In recent weeks the 20-year-old Bermudian had been linked with a loan move to the SkyBet League One side, a deal which was officially announced yesterday.

Trott said he is looking forward to the new challenge and feels he has the firm backing of Manuel Pellegrini, the West Ham manager, and the club as a whole as he prepares to embark on his loan move.

“Manuel Pellegrini has got a good relationship with the young players in the first team,” he said. “Me and him have spoken a number of times. He’s really encouraging. He tells you to be yourself and enjoy football, and just try not to think about it too much.

“He’s brought a lot of young players into the first team and given them chances, so it’s a big boost for other young players. It gives them hope that they can do the same.”

Trott made 12 appearances during a injury-hampered last season for West Ham, ten in Premier League 2 and twice in the Checkatrade Trophy, as well being named in the East London club’s senior squad on three occasions.

Wally Downes, the AFC Wimbledon manager, is delighted to have secured Trott’s services.

“We watched Nathan last season and he is a very talented boy, so we are delighted to have him here on loan,” said Downes, who previously served on the coaching staff at West Ham.

“Although there were a lot of clubs in for him, we managed to pip them to it.

“You get to see all the games now on the various media platforms and Nathan has been on my radar for quite a while.

“I watched Nathan play from the comfort of my own home and I went along to watch him live in a couple of reserve games at the end of last season.

“He is a very talented, agile, goalkeeper. Though he is young, that shouldn’t inhibit him.”

West Ham signed goalkeepers Roberto and David Martin on free transfers earlier this summer to provide back-up to number one Lukasz Fabianski following the release of former number two Adrian, which has paved the way for Trott to go out on loan to gain experience.

“The situation in the first team affects the young goalkeepers and that is why it was important that we have three experienced goalkeepers ready and able to perform in the Premier League in the squad,” Xavi Valero, the West Ham goalkeeping coach, said.

“With Lukasz Fabianski being joined by Roberto and David, this will enable us to give Nathan the opportunity to go out on loan and get some valuable experience of playing first-team football, which we are happy about.

“Nathan is one of the growing young talents in England and it is important we give him the platform to continue improving and developing his skills.

“My idea is that we need three first-team goalkeepers ready to perform, which in turn enables the young goalkeepers to concentrate on their development without the pressure of training, travelling and playing in lots and lots of matches, because it is not beneficial for young goalkeepers to have too busy a schedule.”

Trott initially signed a 2½-year deal with West Ham in January 2016, which has since been extended twice until 2022. He put another feather in his cap after earning the Premier League 2 Save of the Season Award for the second time in three years.

The former BAA player received the honour for his superb save in a 2-1 win away to Liverpool last September playing for the Premier League 2 side.

Trott made his debut for the England Under-20 against Holland in August 2017 and has been capped six times. He was also a member of the England squad that won the 2017 European Under-19 Championship in Georgia.

He was named in the England Under-20 team for the defence of their Toulon tournament title in France this month but was later ruled out because of injury.