Port Vale defender Lewis Bergin has joined Kidsgrove Athletic on a one-month loan deal.
The centre-back, who signed his first professional contract in the summer, will remain with the Northern Premier League Division One South side until Saturday, September 26.
"Young players need minutes and hopefully that's what I'm going to get over the next month," he told the club's official website.
"I think I can mix it with the men but you can always improve, get bigger, get better. I think it's what everyone wants, competitive football at a good level. It's like a stepping stone. You build yourself up and hopefully one day you can play for the first team."
Bergin could make his Kidsgrove debut during tomorrow's league encounter against Stafford Rangers.