Former Inter Milan and Roma midfielder Kevin Zefi has agreed a deal to join Sligo Rovers until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old has spent the last few weeks training with John Russell's side and could go straight into the squad for tomorrow night's clash with Bohemians at the Showgrounds. His availability is subject to international clearance.
Zefi has played for Ireland up to Under-21 level.
In 2020, he became the League of Ireland's youngest ever goalscorer when he netted for Shamrock Rovers II in a 2-1 First Division defeat to Longford Town.
In August 2021, Zefi made a high-profile move to Inter. He scored twice and made three more in a 7-0 win on his U17s debut against AS Cittadella.
After three years in Milan, he joined Roma, spending a year at their academy before moving on last summer.
He played, and scored, for Sligo as a triallist in a friendly against Mansfield Town last July. Zefi was at Tallaght Stadium last week to watch his new team beat the Hoops 2-1.
Richie Towell discusses Kevin Zefi with the former Ireland underage international set to sign for Sligo Rovers
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"John (Russell) gave me a huge opportunity to come up here and train with the team," he told the Sligo Rovers club website.
"This place feels like home straight away and I feel I'm settling in already. Once the offer was there, signing wasn't really a question. The conversations I've had with the people at the club swayed me. The players, staff, volunteers. There was such a welcome for me from the first day and that was important both for myself and my family.
"We have a great group here and we're looking to push on now with the Bohs game and then we'll look into the break and beyond. I'm working hard to get up to speed with things and hopefully get going against Bohs."
Russell has had the Dubliner - who is also eligible to represent Albania - on his radar for almost a year. The Rovers boss believes Sligo is the ideal place for Zefi to get his career back on track following an extended period out of the game.
"Kevin has been with us for training recently which has allowed me to have some conversations with him about his next step," he said.
"We both feel the Showgrounds and Sligo Rovers provides the ideal environment for him to progress his career. I'm always looking to add quality to what we have here, especially in the final third. Kevin is a player who would add creativity to any side so we're delighted he's opted to come in and be part of what we're building in Sligo."
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