Sligo Rovers have bolstered their defensive options ahead of the new SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season with the acquisition of Doncaster Rovers defender Shane Blaney.
The Donegal native, 21, spent two years at the League One club, but found first-team opportunities hard to come by.
He spent time with Finn Harps prior to his move across the Irish Sea and is a former Irish schoolboy captain. He also captained Doncaster's Under-23 side.
"I’m delighted," he told Sligo Rovers' website. "This has been ongoing for the last few weeks. I’ve been speaking with Liam for that period and it seems like the perfect fit for me. It was a great experience at Doncaster.
“I’m absolutely dying to get going. Liam actually made contact in July but I wanted to stay in England as I had a few things going on there. With Covid-19, teams weren’t taking on players on trial and six weeks ago I made the decision to come home. I had a few offers in Ireland and calls, but Liam was the first meeting and since that I knew I wanted to sign for Sligo.
“Anyone I ask about Sligo, every single person says what a good club it is and great fans. I’m very excited for it all."
Sligo Rovers finished fourth after last season's truncated league campaign and will play in Europe next season. They have retained the services of a number of key players for 2021, though former club captain Kyle Callan McFadden - also a centre-half - left towards the end of the season while Ronan Coughlan has joined St Patrick's Athletic.
Rovers boss Liam Buckley, however, says he is encouraged by their business to date.
"Shane is a really good addition to us. He comes strongly recommended and is looking to make an impression here," he said of their latest recruit.
“We are speaking with more players. There’s a strong core group assembled and I hope we’ll be adding to that soon.”
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