SLIGO ROVERS have snapped up Waterford goalkeeper Sam Sargeant following the departure of Ed McGinty to Shamrock Rovers.
McGinty, who was on loan from Oxford United, has joined the Hoops on a permanent deal that left boss John Russell without an experienced goalkeeper for the new season.
And having tied down promising teenager Conor Walsh to a new deal last week, he has now added Sargeant to his squad.
The 27-year-old Londoner was out of contract at Waterford and jumped at the chance to move to the Showgrounds, having impressed in his 18 months in the League of Ireland.
He said: “I spoke with John (Russell) a few times over the phone and I had little doubt where I wanted to be after that.
“I was very impressed with his whole approach. We had conversations about how I will contribute to the team.
“I feel it’s a really good fit and I can’t wait to get working with the staff up here as I feel I can really progress along with the team.
“There’s a lot of experience already here. The players that the gaffer has signed from last year’s squad have proved already that they are more than good enough for this league. I am looking forward to building relationships with all these players.
“Sligo, the town and county is football mad and it’s all about Rovers here. It’s a big club and I want to build on what I’ve already achieved in Ireland and help bring some success to Sligo.
“We can go as far as we want next season. If we stick together as a group and give everything we have, we know we can compete with anyone in this country.”
Sergeant joined Waterford midway through the 2023 season from Leyton Orient and was first-choice until a broken hand last July put him out of the remainder of the year.
He said: “The injury came at an unfortunate time really. I was in really good form when it happened and it just happened out of the blue.
“As much as I hated being out injured, it did give me the chance to work on other aspects of my game in terms of strength and leadership and now I’m fully recovered and feel stronger than ever before.
“I want to be a leader both on and off the pitch and use my experience in as positive a way as I can. It’s become a big part of my game since coming into the league.”
