Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce the signing of defender James Finnerty who joins the club as a free agent following his departure from Bohemians at the end of the 2022 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season. Finnerty signs until at least the end of the 2023 season.
Finnerty was on loan at Galway United for the second half of the 2022 season, helping the Tribemen to a spot in the First Division play-offs.
The 23-year-old joined Aston Villa in 2015 from his youth career at Belvedere in Dublin.
Finnerty returned to Ireland for a spell with Bohemians at Dalymount Park where he made over 60 appearances.
Sligo Rovers Manager John Russell is delighted to have Finnerty on board:
‘’I’ve been monitoring James for a while.
‘’He’s a player who caught my eye when he came back from England in 2019.
‘’James is a ball playing centre back who is very comfortable stepping into midfield and creating overloads. He’s quick and aggressive and exactly the type of defender I like.
‘’He comes to us at a really good stage in his career. He’s played a lot of games in this league while also experiencing European football.
‘’We’re all excited to start working with him’’.
The Bit O’ Red return to pre-season in just over two weeks as Russell starts preparations for the season opener against Shamrock Rovers on February 18th at The Showgrounds.
The Meath born defender Finnerty is excited to join John Russell’s squad:
”’I am delighted to sign for Sligo Rovers.
” I’m looking forward to meeting all the lads and starting pre-season in January.
”I knew straight away after meeting with John the plans he has for the club going forward that this was the place I wanted to play my football next season and, the style of play and having a proper game plan is something I’m looking forward too.
”The Showgrounds was always a tough place to come and I can’t wait to play in front of the fans”.
Finnerty is the 21st signing ahead of the 2023 season and joins Daniel Lafferty, Johan Brannefalk, and Lukas Browning as new players from last season.
Pre-season preparations are at full pace in recent days and weeks as John Russell and his Management team put together a busy training and friendly schedule throughout January and February.
Season Tickets for the new season can be ordered now on www.srfcdirect.com
The Sligo Rovers Christmas store opens all weekend at Barton Smiths and all the way up to Christmas Eve.
Tomorrow sees a meet and greet session at 1pm in store where supporters have the opportunity to meet members of the Men’s and Women’s teams for photos and autographs.