Leyton Orient have confirmed the signing of Zach Hemming from Middlesbrough and his transfer could benefit several people.
A number of players have departed Middlesbrough in the 2024 summer transfer window so far.
Paddy McNair, Liam Roberts and Jamie Jones have all left the Riverside Stadium after their contracts expired last month.
Elsewhere, left-back Hayden Coulson joined League One outfit Blackpool in a permanent deal.
Sammy Silvera has also joined Championship side Portsmouth on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.
Now, another Middlesbrough exit has been confirmed with Leyton Orient signing Zach Hemming on loan for the upcoming season.
The goalkeeper excelled at St Miren in 2023/24 and there was some expectation he would be handed a more prominent role by Michael Carrick this term.
But while Hemming’s transfer was somewhat surprising, it should benefit several people.
Here are three winners and one loser following Hemming’s transfer to Leyton Orient…
Sol Brynn
Sol Brynn spent the previous season on loan at Hemming’s new club, Leyton Orient.
He returned to the North East over the summer and looked set to face competition from four more goalkeepers.
However, Jones has now left for Salford City and Hemming has, of course, gone out on loan.
As a result, Brynn now has just Seny Dieng and Tom Glover as competition going into 2024/25.
And as Boro News understands Glover is likely to be sold this summer, Hemming’s departure means Brynn looks set to be Middlesbrough’s number two going forward.
Michael Carrick
Carrick is the second winner from Hemming’s recent transfer.
The Middlesbrough boss faced a serious selection dilemma between the sticks before Hemming’s move but as explained above, his options going into the 2024/25 Championship season are now much clearer.
And as Hemming is still under contract for another two years, his loan exit will give Carrick more time to assess the goalkeeper before making a permanent decision on his future.
Richie Wellens
While Middlesbrough’s goalkeeper situation has proven a bit of a headache for the club, it has greatly benefited Leyton Orient.
The O’s enjoyed success with Brynn in 2023/24 and Boro have now handed them, on paper, a better number one for the new season.
Speaking after the transfer was completed, Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens expressed his pleasure at getting the Hemming deal done.
He said: “We’re delighted to have Zach on board with us for the upcoming League One season.
“Zach has had some really good loan spells away from Middlesbrough already and has gained plenty of plaudits in recent years.
“He’s very highly thought of and we are confident that he can come in and have the same sort of impact that Sol Brynn had for us last season. We’re excited to see what he can achieve during his time with us.”
Zach Hemming
The only real loser from Hemming’s transfer to Leyton Orient is the player himself.
Hemming was superb for St Miren last season, cementing himself as their first-choice keeper and playing a key role in them securing a Europa Conference League place.
As a result, the Boro academy product was likely hopefully of finally earning regular football at his parent club in 2024/25.
The move is also something of a step down for the 24-year-old, with League One not expected to prove as tough a test as the Scottish Premier League.