Welsh University side UWIC have completed a suprising signing of Welton winger Mark Curtis on a season-long loan deal.The Welton Sports & Social Club website confirmed earlier on Friday that the 22yr old was set to move to Cardiff on a temporary deal for the upcoming season. The winger, who progressed through the youth ranks at Welton, had been a key figure in the first team at Social Park last season and has only recently signed a new deal at the club. He will now travel to Cardiff at the beginning of August for a medical before joining up with his new team-mates in time for the BUSA season's opening fixtures at the end of September.
Curtis admits that he is going to miss playing for the Village outfit and leaves with a heavy heart, however, he is looking forward to playing for the Welsh University side. "I've known for the last few weeks that this was in the pipeline and the realisation hit that I would have to leave Welton" Curtis told the club's official website. "I've played for this club since I was 7 years old, but I need to leave to further my career off the field - and we decided that a temporary deal was best for me." He added "I would like to thank all the guys at the club, on and off the field, as well as the supporters who have been so loyal to me over the years. I reserve special thanks to my teammates who all hold a place in my heart".
It is not thought that there is a buy-out clause in the loan deal and Curtis may well return at the end of the season, if not before. Club secretary Mark Brewer confirmed "There is a clause in the lad's contract that says he may be available to us, on short notice, over the christmas period - but we will have to see what happens. He is registered as a Welton Sports & Social Club player."
Curtis' departure brings an end to a 15 year affiliation with the club and leaves Will Carter as the sole remaining member of the famed 'golden youth generation' groomed to success by well-respected former youth team coach Kevin Lawrence. Curtis was a prospect of the highly acclaimed youth academy that also promoted the likes of Carter, Bowey, Johnson and Lawrence through the ranks at the club. The deal also leaves the Village outfit alarmingly short on numbers after Bowey, Ward, Drabble (Joe), Jones, Johnson and now Curtis have yet to be replaced after the deal for Tinkler fell through at the last minute.