Liam Kerrigan has joined UCD, the club can confirm.

The Rovers Under-17 graduate progressed through the ranks to become a member of the first-team squad.

He started with the Under-17s in 2015 and went on to make 24 appearance for the senior side.

The 19-year-old said: “Like Jack said this has been a very difficult decision to make. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t a Sligo Rovers fan and making my debut and signing my first professional contract last year was a dream come true.

“Thanks to Gerard Lyttle and Kevin Derry for giving me that opportunity. 

“I would like to thank all my coaches from Real Tubber FC and Raff Cretaro for introducing me to the club as mascot when I was five-years old, Sligo Leitrim youths, Sligo Rovers 17s, Niall Harrison, Colm Jinks and Danny O’Leary, the u19s, Dinky (Brian Dorrian) and the first team management, Liam Buckley, John Russell and Dave Campbell for all their encouragement and guidance throughout the years.

“I’d also like to thank everyone behind the scenes at Sligo Rovers and all the fans for supporting me over the last two seasons.

“Best of luck to everyone at the club for the rest of the season.”

Liam Buckley said: “Liam has decided to take up this offer. We wish him well. We don’t want to lose our young players and going forward the IT Sligo scholarship scheme will help with that.

“It’s disappointing but we wish Liam a great future and perhaps one day we will see him in a Sligo Rovers jersey again.”