Sligo Rovers have recruited another player from the Football League, with ex-Barnsley midfielder Matty Wolfe the latest player to move to The Showgrounds.
The 24-year-old has signed a one-year deal as he looks to overcome a series of injury problems after a promising start to his career.
Wolfe joined League One side Barnsley when he was 10 and made his debut for the Tykes against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Championship in 2020 before spending time on loan at both Notts County and Danish side Esbjerg.
He returned to his parent club ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, featuring for Barnsley in the Championship once again and in League One.
He won Barnsley’s Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2022 season.
After a series of knee issues, Wolfe's contract at the Yorkshire club came to an end and he stayed in training with them in recent months as he looked to restart his career.
He has been taking part in pre-season with Sligo since the start of the year.
Wolfe revealed that words from former League of Ireland players, in particular his old team-mate and once Shamrock Rovers player Barry Cotter, played a part in convincing him that Sligo was the place to be for 2025.
"I’ve spoken to a few players about playing here", he said
"Barry said 'just go’ and that I’d enjoy it. The football seems to be very underrated over here and the way the teams play in the League of Ireland should suit my style.
"Training has gone really well so far, so I’m really looking forward to getting started now.
"The gaffer was in touch with me through Zoom and I was really interested in what he had to say. The ideas he had, the way he wants this team to play and the ambition he shows really impressed me. I want to be a part of that."
The Bit O' Red lost Ellis Chapman and Niall Morahan to Shelbourne and Bohemians in the off-season.
Wolfe will look to slot into one of those roles.
"I can play anywhere in midfield whether that’s as a holding midfielder, securing the defensive side of things, keeping the ball moving. Or whether that’s playing higher and getting in and around the box. I’m happy to play anywhere really though.
"I want to help the team as much as I can and help us get as high up the table as we can.
"I’m looking forward to myself and the team putting in the performances and the rest takes care of itself."
Manager John Russell says he is confident the player is ready to make a big contribution at Rovers despite his injury problems.
"It’s exciting to be able to bring a player of the calibre of Matty to the club", Russell explained.
"He’s a player with huge potential and is exactly the type of midfielder we need here.
"He’s aggressive and covers the ground as well as being comfortable in possession. A player like Matty really adds quality to the team.
"He has been unfortunate with injury which stalled his early promise at Barnsley. But he has fully recovered now and we want to get him back playing and enjoying his football again.
"I know from our conversations he is excited by the opportunity here and I’m looking forward to working with him this year."
Russell brought Harvey Lintott to The Showgrounds on loan from Northampton Town earlier this week.
