Exclusive: Leyton Orient make move to sign Everton star Reece Welch

Leyton Orient have registered their interest in signing Everton defender Reece Welch on loan, sources have told Football Insider.

Everton have high hopes for the 20-year-old and believe a loan move this summer will be the ideal next stage for his development.

This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed in May that the Toffees had given the green light for the defender to leave on loan this summer.

Dutch Eredivisie outfits had registered their interest in signing him, as well as clubs in the Championship, but London-based League One outfit Orient feel they have a strong chance of reaching an agreement.

Welch spent the first half of last season on loan with League Two outfit Forest Green Rovers before returning to Goodison Park where he featured for the first team in pre-season.

Everton prepare to let Reece Welch leave on loan amid Leyton Orient interest

Welch has been at Everton since he was seven years old and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2020 before making his senior debut in 2022.

His loan spell at Forest Green last season saw him make 23 appearances across all competitions before the Toffees triggered a break clause in his deal.

However, he was not included in any of Dyche’s senior squads for the rest of the season and featured primarily for the Under-21 side.

Forest Green, meanwhile, crashed out of League Two as they finished bottom of the league.

Leyton Orient were impressed by what they saw from the defender during his short spell in the EFL and are prepared to hand him a step up into League One.

The defender has emerged as a key target for the club who finished 11th last time out.

The coaching staff at Goodison are keen to see Welch take the same steps as Jarrad Branthwaite in his career – going out on loan before returning to seal a place in the first team.