On his HG status...
He's still 22, so doesn't have to be registered yet, meaning he probably won't have to count during the September registration period. (I realise we may still register him for CL and PL to get to the 8)
He turns 23 in January, so I'm not 100% sure if he'd have to be registered for the January/February period. I think not (can look it up) as I think he'd have to turn 23 before January this year.
Point is, he may not really "count" towards HG registration as it's a waste of a squad place for a probable fringe player, and hence why we are looking for another HG (association trained) player (i.e. Ake or Maguire)