Liam Moore: Brentford sign Leicester City defender

Leicester City's England Under-21 international defender Liam Moore has joined League One promotion hopefuls Brentford on loan.

The centre-half has moved to Griffin Park on a deal that runs to 27 April.

Moore, 19, has made 14 first-team appearances for the Foxes this season, but none since December.

"Liam has had an excellent academy education and he has developed in to a fine young defensive player," Brentford sporting director Mark Warburton said.

"He is comfortable both in central defence and at right back and also, crucially, in defensive midfield.

"He has already achieved a lot this season and other clubs were looking at him."

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson was keen to arrange a move to give Moore some game time.

Pearson told BBC Radio Leicester: "He needs some games. I think that will be good for him."

The Foxes had numerous injury problems in defence earlier in the season, but Pearson now has Sean St Ledger and Zak Whitbread fit again.

Captain Wes Morgan and on-loan centre-half Michael Keane are also above Moore in the current pecking order.

Pearson added: "We have a fully fit squad at the moment and because of his age we will have early recall if we need to."

Moore is Brentford's second loan signing in the space of 24 hours, following the arrival of Charlton striker Bradley Wright-Phillips.