Sheffield United youngster admits loan move to Derry City has put him "in shop window" - but hasn't given up dream of playing in Premier League one day

Youngster Stephen Mallon has joined Derry City on an initial six-month loan deal, following in the footsteps of fellow Blades academy graduate David Parkhouse.

Parkhouse spent last season on loan at Derry and finished as their top scorer after an impressive campaign.

And 20-year-old Mallon insisted: "I’m not coming over here with the mindset that it’s a backward move.

"I know this league has got some talented players and the tempo and everything just suits me. I can come here, work hard, get games and put myself in the shop window to kick on from here.

“Everyone saw what ‘Parky’ did last year and he’s put himself in a miles better position than what he was in before he came here.

“That’s something I’d like to achieve while I’m here and then get back to England to kick on. Coming here is just a short term thing.

“In the long term I want to play at the highest level so hopefully here is a stepping stone to achieving that.”

Mallon, a Republic of Ireland U21 international, spent the latter half of the Australian A-League season on loan with Central Coast Mariners, where former Blade Nick Montgomery is involved in the coaching set up.

“I know I’m a bit late coming into senior football,” Mallon added.

"I had a few games in Australia but it’s a different kind of tempo and a different kind of football to the UK and Ireland.I’m looking forward to getting playing in the League of Ireland.

"The move to Australia came up last January and it was something I really couldn’t turn down as it was a life experience along with football experience.

“It was halfway across the world but it was games in senior football and just a different platform to what I’ve been used to."