Teenage Carlisle United prospect Sam Hetherington has joined Darlington on loan.
The 19-year-old has headed to the north east for a month-long spell.
Hetherington's move will see him gain first-team experience in National League North in a move running to March 16.
It is a step up the non-league pyramid following previous loan spells with Workington Reds in the Northern Premier League premier Division.
Midfielder Hetherington said he was excited to get started with the Quakers, who are managed by Steve Watson.
‼️ Sam Hetherington Joins Darlington on Loan ‼️
Darlington has officially signed midfielder Sam Hetherington on loan from Carlisle United.
Sam, who turned 19 on Thursday, is capable of playing in various midfield positions. He has been with Carlisle for several years,… pic.twitter.com/O4DjdtaH9o
— Darlington FC (@Official_Darlo) February 7, 2025
"I hope to get as many minutes as I can and try and help the team," Hetherington told the Darlington website.
"It looks like [Darlington] are pushing for the play-offs and hopefully I can try and help [us] get there.
"It's a massive club and I'm really excited."
Among Hetherington's team-mates at Blackwell Meadows is the former Carlisle player Cameron Salkeld.
The young Blues player's first game with the club will come in a home clash against Marine on Saturday.
Hetherington is the latest in a number of United players from the senior and younger ranks to go out on loan recently.
His fellow third-year scholar Jake Allan recently returned to Workington for a fresh spell.
First-team players Luke Armstrong and Taylor Charters went out on loan to Motherwell and Queen of the South respectively for the rest of the season.
And youth team players Dan Hopper and Freddie O'Donoghue sealed work experience loans to Penrith and Carlisle City respectively. Hopper's move is for the rest of the season while O'Donoghue's is for a month.
