Sligo Rovers have signed Jaanai Gordon on loan from West Ham United ahead of the start of the 2016 SSE Airtricity League season.
The 20-year-old striker has signed a short-term loan at the Showgrounds, which will see his initial period at the Bit O'Red last until August, the next transfer window in England.
Gordon has spent the last two years at West Ham, having signed from Peterborough, but has yet to make a first-team appearance for the east London side.
The striker has enjoyed loan spells at Chelmsford City and Nuneaton Town over the past 12 months but will arrive in Sligo in full fitness, having spent the first half of the English season with the West Ham development squad, scoring four times in 10 games.
Jaanai Gordon scoring after 7 seconds during last nights 4-0 victory over Exeter City! pic.twitter.com/qFPdtoRlTu
— WestHamFCLive (@WestHamFCLive) December 3, 2015
Speaking about the new signing, Sligo manager Dave Robertson said: “I have known Jaanai for a long time. I watched him through his journey. He signed first (at Peterborough) for the under-12s and came all the way through the system.
"He got fast-tracked into the first team and made his debut in the Championship at 16 years of age. That attracted a lot of interest from some of the big clubs and he was sold at the age of 17. He has developed really well since and still has two and a half years left on his contract.
“He has been scoring regularly this year with the West Ham Under-21s and played last night for them in the Premier League Under-21 Cup. Jaanai is an exceptional talent who is a natural goalscorer as well. I think he can score regularly here for us this season.
“I see him as an out and out centre forward. He will give us the threat we need up front to score goals and play with the attacking style we are looking for. He also has good physicality, in the last six games he has scored a few headers and shown great strength and power, he is progressing in that area which will be important for us.
And Robertson added that he is far from done assembling his squad and has his sights set firstly on adding to his defence.
“We are still talking to a few players. I am looking to bring in some defenders to add to our strength in that area. Hopefully in the next few days we may have some news on that. We also may bring in an additional forward but it needs to be someone with the right calibre.”
Sligo open their campaign with a mouthwatering clash with Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday, 5 March.
