Cork City have signed striker Matthew Gillam on loan from Rochdale until the summer on the eve of the new Airtricity League Premier Division season.
With Ronan Coughlan leaving Leeside for Sligo Rovers, John Caulfield has beefed up his attacking options further having also brought in Liam Nash earlier this week.
"This is a big challenge for me, coming away from England to try and get some game time, but hopefully I can do well," said 20-year-old Gillam, who has been training with the club since Monday.
"There are a few lads at Rochdale who have been at the club and I have spoken to them quite frequently to try and see what things were like, so they have been a big help.
"The boys have been very welcoming, everyone has been good, so I have really enjoyed it. I played a few games at Rochdale towards the start of the season, but I need to be playing a lot more, so this is a good opportunity for me."
Elsewhere in the league, Sligo snapped up Coughlan, but their move for Nigerian Brendan Ogbu has fallen through.
Coughlan shone with Bray Wanderers before moving to Cork last summer. The Limerick 23-year-old struggled to break into Caulfield's side and heads for the Bit O'Red hungry for game time and keen to impress.
"It's all about playing games as far as I'm concerned," he said. "I spoke with John Caulfield during pre-season and as far as I was concerned my priority was playing every week.
"There are no guarantees at any club, and obviously Cork were signing more players. I just want to play and know that when I'm playing regularly I'll find my best form.
"I met Liam Buckley during the week. We had a long, long meeting. I was really taken by it and it convinced me to sign. I was playing out wide with Bray Wanderers and eventually got moved into central striker and scored goals. The move to Cork saw me play a few different positions.
"I'm coming here to get in the team and show the best of me."
Watch Dundalk v Sligo Rovers live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, Friday, from 7pm with goals from around the grounds on the opening night of the Airtricity League Premier Division
