Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that midfielder Matty Wolfe is the latest player to join the club. The 24-year-old has signed a one year deal with the Bit O’Red ahead of the 2025 League of Ireland season which gets underway in just over three weeks time.

A native of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Wolfe joined League One side Barnsley when he was ten 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.

Wolfe has been training with Rovers since the return to pre-season and having impressed boss John Russell, has today signed a 12 month deal. Matty revealed that words from former League of Ireland players, in particular his old teammate and once Shamrock Rovers player Barry Cotter, played a part in convincing him that the Showgrounds was the place to be for 2025.

“I’ve spoken to a few players about playing here”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“Barry said ‘just go’ and that I’d enjoy it. The football seems to be very under-rated 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.”

Wolfe has already tasted life in football away from his homeland following a successful time in the Danish league with the aforementioned Esbjerg.

He’s now focusing on making his second spell away from home as enjoyable as the first.

“I really enjoyed Denmark, it was something new and a very different culture. I was out of my comfort zone, a little like coming over to Ireland, which is good. But everyone here is so welcoming and you can really feel that Sligo Rovers is one of those clubs that matters a lot to the local community.”

Adept at operating in the centre of the park, Wolfe explains his strengths.

He continues: “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.”

A recent knee injury affected Wolfe’s game time over the past few seasons. But speaking about his latest acquisition, Russell says he is confident the player is ready to make a big contribution at Rovers.

“It’s exciting to be able to bring a player of the calibre of Matty to the club”, Russell tells sligorovers.com.

“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.”

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers continued their pre-season preparations ahead of the upcoming Premier Division season with a narrow defeat to Derry City at the Showgrounds. 

This was the Bit O’Red’s second outing of the year following last Saturday’s win over Athlone in the midlands. 

Rovers led early on through Owen Elding who again caught the eye when he finished a searching cross from new signing Ronan Manning after 13 minutes. 

Derry, who are expected to be amongst the title challengers once again this year levelled this friendly ten minutes from the break but only after Rovers keeper Conor Walsh had kept out a penalty. 

City’s lead only lasted 60 seconds. Elding had his brace with another superb finish on 36.

John Russell rang the changes at the break and Derry equalised soon after. 

While the Candystripes struck for the winner just after the hour. 

This was another valuable run out for Rovers ahead of the big kick-off on February 15th. Our next preseason game is penned in for this Saturday, January 25th against Galway United at Westport United’s grounds. 

Rovers: Conor Walsh, Oskar Van Hattum, John Mahon, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson, Ronan Manning, Connor Malley, Jad Hakiki, Cian Kavanagh, Owen Elding, Francely Lomboto.

Second half: Conor Walsh, Conor Reynolds, Gareth McElroy, David Jonathan, Kyle McDonagh, Shea Malone, Conor Cannon, Callum Lynch, Owen Elding (Oisin Kelly), Guilherme Rego Priosti (Daire Patton), Francely Lomboto (Rasheed Yeboah).

Sligo Rovers got their 2025 pre-season campaign underway on winning terms as they put five without reply past hosts Athlone Town at Lissywollen. 

The superb Jad Hakiki netted twice in the opening half on his first appearance in a Rovers shirt, after the lively Owen Elding had opened the scoring.

Three ahead at the break, substitutes Conor Cannon and Shae Malone added to the score during another impressive 45 minutes. 

Elding had the Bit O’Red in the lead after 13 minutes before new signing Hakiki had the first of his brace on 27 minutes, pulling off a super finish. The Dubliner had his second eight minutes later when he took a touch around the Town keeper before tapping home. 

Goalkeeper Conor Walsh was the only starting player to come out after the interval as manager John Russell made ten changes to his Rovers side at half time.

One of those subs, Cannon had Sligo’s fourth from a well worked set-piece just short of the break. While Malone netted Rovers fifth from close range six from time following persistent play from another new boy, Francely Lomboto. 

Rovers’ next pre-season outing comes on Tuesday, January 21st as we face Derry City at the Showgrounds at 2pm.

Sligo Rovers: Walsh; Van Hattum, Mahon, Denham, Hutchinson; Malley; Hakiki, Manning; Elding, Kavanagh, Fitzgerald. 

Subs used: Brush, Lomboto, O’Malley, McElroy, Morley, McDonagh, Yeboah, Reynolds, Cannon, Jonathan, Malone, Trialist 1.  

New Zealand international Oskar Van Hattum is the latest player to join Sligo Rovers, the club are excited to announce.

The 22-year-old winger joins from Australian A League side Wellington Phoenix and has signed a one year deal at the Showgrounds.

Van Hattum arrives at the Bit O’Red having spent his formative years in his homeland, featuring almost 50 times for Wellington’s first team, making his professional debut against Western United as a 19-year-old in 2021.

He has also represented New Zealand at various underage levels, making his senior debut against Solomon Islands during the 2024 OFC Men’s Nations Cup, a tournament which he and his Kiwi team mates went on to win.

Van Hattum was also part of the New Zealand U23 side which competed at last year’s Paris Olympics. He is Rovers boss John Russell’s second signing of the week following the arrival of goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.

Primarily a right sided plyer, Oskar’s versatility means he can operate on either flank and is also comfortable competing as a striker or a ten. He has also filled in at right back on occasion.

“I’m direct, I like to get in behind and drive at defenders”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“I can play in a few different positions so I’m looking forward to helping the team in any way I can. We want a European spot and we want trophies. But that’s down the line. For now, I’m just looking forward to meeting everyone and getting off to a good start against Waterford.”

Van Hattum is the latest player from the Pacific island to join the club following successful stints for compatriots Ryan De Vries, Nando Pijnaker and Max Mata in recent years. Contact with the latter was part of his research on Ireland before he made the decision to relocate half-way around the world. Oskar says fellow striker Mata played his part in convincing him that a move to Rovers was the right one.  

“The transfer is one that’s been in the works for the better part of a month really and I’m thrilled to get the deal done”, he beamed.

“I know the club has a big history, particularly in the fairly recent past and I can’t wait to get going and try and make more history here.

“The Irish league wouldn’t be too accessible from New Zealand but that just makes things more exciting for me. I spoke to Max and he only had positive things to say about the club, Sligo, the people and the people who run the club.

“I see a pathway there and I can’t wait to jump in. The A League and both the Australian and New Zealand national teams have grown the last few years and that’s why you see so many players moving from there to Europe. Max, Nando and Ryan are examples of players who have seized their chances and they’ve expanded their profiles from here. I want to do that too.”

Speaking about his latest addition, manager Russell says Van Hattum’s versatility will be a key asset for Rovers who continue preparations for the upcoming campaign.  

“Oskar is primarily a right winger but is comfortable playing across the front line where he will bring pace, power and directness to the team”, he explains.

“I feel his attributes will suit our league and it’s always vital to have players who can play in several positions. His work rate is excellent and I know he is very motivated by the challenge of playing in Europe.

“We’ve had good success bringing players in from New Zealand in recent years and we’re hoping Oskar can make a big impact at the club.”

David Goulden 

Photo credit: McIntosh/Photomac

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that John Russell has secured the signature of goalkeeper Sam Sargeant ahead of the 2025 League of Ireland season.

Sargeant joins the Bit O’Red on a one year deal having spent the last 18 months with fellow Premier Division outfit Waterford. 

The much coveted 27-year-old played a starring role in the Blues’ magnificent early season form last year, before his year was cut short with injury. 

Sargeant featured 30 times for Waterford in 2024 having signed up at the RSC mid-way through their 2023 promotion season. This followed spells with Leyton Orient, Wealdstone and Barnet amongst others. 

The net minder arrives at Rovers in time to take part in a full pre-season and is expected to compete with Conor Walsh for the number one shirt. Speaking to sligorovers.com, Sergeant says he’s ready to get to work. 

“I spoke with John (Russell) a few times over the phone and I had little doubt where I wanted to be after that”, he says.

“I was very impressed with his whole approach. We had conversations about how I will contribute to the team. I feel it’s a really good fit and I can’t wait to get working with the staff up here as I feel I can really progress along with the team. 

“There’s a lot of experience already here. The players that the gaffer has signed from last year’s squad have proved already that they are more than good enough for this league. I am looking forward to building relationships with all these players. 

“Sligo, the town and county is football mad and it’s all about Rovers here. It’s a big club and I want to build on what I’ve already achieved in Ireland and help bring some success to Sligo.

“We can go as far as we want next season. If we stick together as a group and give everything we have, we know we can compete with anyone in this country.”

The Londoner’s 2024 season was brought to a halt last July when he fractured a bone in his hand in training. Sargeant is hoping months of rehab, recovery and hard work pay off at the Showgrounds as he returns to play. He is also aiming to make experience count going into 2025.

“The injury came at an unfortunate time really. I was in really good form when it happened and it just happened out of the blue. As much as I hated being out injured, it did give me the chance to work on other aspects of my game in terms of strength and leadership and now I’m fully recovered and feel stronger than ever before.

“I want to be a leader both on and off the pitch and use my experience in as positive a way as I can. It’s become a big part of my game since coming into the league.”

Speaking to sligorovers.com following his latest foray into the transfer market, boss Russell says that he too sees Sargeant as a potential figurehead within his squad heading into the new campaign which gets underway against the Sam’s old club Waterford on February 15th. 

“I’m delighted to bring Sam to the club”, Russell says. 

‘He made a big impact in his time at Waterford during his 18 months there. We feel his attributes are perfect for the way we want to play. 

“Sam is a very driven individual and I know he will be a big influence both on and off the pitch. 

“His quality and experience will be a massive asset to our group. We’re all excited to start working with him.”

David Goulden 

Ronan Manning is the latest player to join the ranks at Sligo Rovers ahead of the 2025 season, the club are delighted to confirm. 

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a one year deal at the Showgrounds and becomes John Russell’s seventeenth signing ahead of the new campaign which gets underway against Waterford on 15th February next. 

The Galway native began his career with local side Mervue before joining Galway United in 2017. He made his first team debut mid-way through that season and became a regular the following year. He moved on to Athlone Town in 2020 and an impressive year which saw him score eight times in eighteen league games, meant Manning attracted the interest of several clubs, with the young attacker electing to return to Eamonn Deacy Park in 2021. 

The former Republic of Ireland underage international missed most of that season with injury but returned in 2022, re-establishing himself as a mainstay in the Tribesmen’s starting sides before going on to win the First Division title with his hometown club in 2023. 

Having signed a 12 month deal at Rovers, Manning is now focused on becoming a regular on Showgrounds soil and says Rovers is the perfect place for him to further develop his craft. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com, he said: “Myself and John (Russell) spoke before the season finished and more so the last few weeks.

“The plan he laid out in terms of the direction Sligo Rovers is going and where he wants to take the club was impressive. Once I spoke to him, there was nowhere else for me.

“I’ve had some bad luck with injuries in the past but I feel I’ve emerged well from all that and I’m looking to put that behind me. I’m feeling at my best now and I’m ready to get going at Rovers.

“The style John likes to play suits my style. The supporters can expect to see someone who’s creative and always wants to get on the ball. I love to run at defenders and make things happen. I feel every player that has signed for Sligo Rovers has become a better player and I feel that can be the case with myself also.”

The once Irish schoolboy international, whose preferred position is at number ten but who is adept on either wing, looks forward to 2025, saying: “Rovers were close to Europe last season and it felt from the outside looking in that they were unlucky not to finish in the top 4. The aim this year has to be Europe and as high a finish as possible. 

“The Waterford game isn’t too far away and I am really looking forward to getting started in Sligo.” 

Commenting on his latest move in the market, boss Russell says he feels Manning can make a real impact in his time in the north west.

“I’ve always admired Ronan”, he comments. 

“He’s a brilliant footballer. I’ve always admired his ability to take the ball under pressure, go past men and make things happen on the pitch. 

“Yes, he’s been unfortunate with injuries at times but this happens sometimes in a footballer’s career, it’s part and parcel.

“He has worked extremely hard in the background and I believe we can get the best out of him. He can have a big part to play next season.”   

David Goulden