Sligo Rovers have been handed a timely boost on the eve of the 2025 season with the news that Owen Elding has signed a new deal with the club. The attacker, who turns 19 in March, has agreed to extend his current deal to the end of the 2027 season.
A product of the Bit O’Red’s AbbVie academy, Elding followed in the footsteps of his father and FAI Cup winner Anthony when he signed his first professional deal with the club before the start of last season. Having played 29 times in two seasons for the first team, Owen’s journey at Rovers goes back to his childhood when he joined the club’s under 13 side when he was twelve. He has gone on to progress and impress in each of the following years and regularly finished as top scorer at the end of the year.
Elding’s contract extension further rubber-stamps Rovers’ commitment to bringing our own young talent all the way through the academy to first team level.
Speaking to sligorovers.com, Elding, who can also operate out wide or as a striker, spoke of his own personal pride having risen through the ranks to become a familiar face to the Showgrounds faithful. “Signing my first pro deal last year was a proud moment but to add two years on to it is just very special”, he beams.
“It’s nice to feel that the manager and club has the trust in me to offer me two more years.
“Last year was a huge progression in my career. In 2023, I got a few minutes from the bench just to get used to first team football but last season, John Russell gave me a lot more minutes. I think both John and Ryan Casey have improved me as a player so much by working with them. I think when a young lad like myself signs on a two year deal, it shows what the club is trying to do in terms of bringing players through and trusting the youth in being good enough to progress. It’s becoming more and more the way here and it’s great to see.
“Starting at Rovers when I was twelve and working my way through to the first team is something that makes me very proud. It’s a special feeling to be training day in, day out with the likes of Kyle McDonagh and Daire Patton who have come through the system with me and signed professional deals also. It shows Sligo Rovers is trying to produce its own and huge credit has to go to the coaches and Conor O’Grady as head of the academy.”
Elding has been in flying form throughout the 2025 pre-season campaign, scoring five times in six games. He is yet to mark a first senior goal off his card, but Owen knows that duck isn’t far off being broken.
“I feel like a new player”, he continues. “I’m playing with a lot of confidence. I know I’m still chasing that competitive goal but I feel I’m in a great shape to do so now. I’ve managed five goals in pre-season so I’m hoping I’ll start strong in 2025 and be in the manager’s plans to start games.
“I want to open my account as quickly as I can because once I do that, I feel my game can go to the next level.”
As for 2025. Elding wants his team to look as high as possible ahead of this weekend’s Premier Division kick-off.
“As a team we know we’re good enough to be challenging up towards the top of the table. The fans are desperate to see us back in Europe and we’re desperate to give them that. We’ve all come back in top shape and we’re buzzing now for Waterford on Saturday.”
Speaking following the agreement between player and club, Rovers boss Russell says 2025 can be a big year for Riverstown native Elding.
Russell said: “Owen has progressed really well over the last 12 months and we’re delighted to reward him with a new deal. Along with the likes of Conor Walsh, Daire Patton, Kyle McDonagh, Conor Reynolds and Gareth McElroy, he is another product of our academy. Owen being signed up to a long term deal having progressed through our youth ranks shows that this club is serious about sustainability and bringing through our own. Huge credit must go to his coaches at all levels.
“We feel Owen has more than enough potential to make a big impact in the coming season. He has all the attributes you want to see in a forward. He has pace, power, intelligent movement and a real eye for goal.”
“We’re very excited to see how he develops over the coming years.”
David Goulden