Sligo Rovers have completed the signing of Ugandan international Melvyn Lorenzen for the remainder of the 2021 season.
Lorenzen, formerly of Werder Bremen, ADO Den Haag and Karpaty Lyiv, joins subject to international clearance.
The attacking player could make his debut in the next game for the Bit O’ Red against Drogheda United.
The 26-year-old played over 50 games between the German and Dutch top flights earlier in his career.
Born in London and having grown up in Germany, Lorenzen has been seeking an opportunity in the UK or Ireland after leaving Ukraine and having a short spell in Indonesia which was curtailed by Covid-19 restrictions cancelling the season.
New signing Lorenzen said: “It feels great to officially sign today. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for, to be in a professional environment and play games.
“Things did not work out with the disrupted season in Indonesia and I have had time to consider my future. I wanted to come to a club where I could make a difference.
“I know the team did very well for the first half of the year and this last while has not been so good. I’m here to help the team and to show my ability.
“The welcome I have received is the best I’ve had at a new club, all of the players and the people here are very friendly.
“In the two weeks I’ve been here, training in a group has already made a difference to my fitness. As a player I’m physically strong, I like to attack the channels and help the team with assists and goals.
“When the offer came from Sligo, I have always been a person who loves to travel and experience something new. I hope this works out for all parties and I really am excited to play for the club.”
Rovers boss Liam Buckley said: “Melvyn has a very good pedigree. He’s played in the Bundesliga and in the Dutch league. He’s been with us for a couple of weeks in training and he’s done well. He can play across the front three in any position and strengthens us further.
“He’s big, quick and technically good on the ball. In the time he’s been with us we can see he’s fit and just needs games from that perspective.
“We have a couple of weeks for our next game and both he and Andre Wright will be part of that preparation.
“It’s important we stay calm in regards to the rest of the season. Robbie McCourt and Greg Bolger are on the way back and overall we look strong when you look at our group.
“It’s going to be an extremely competitive race for the top four. We feel we can get there despite the run we’ve been on. We’re going to win games and we want it to come in the next one.
“With the commitment we showed on Saturday, it will turn for us. When you put in that effort, luck will change. We’re determined to make it happen, Melvyn is another addition to us and the next 10 days or so will be all about gearing up for the Drogheda game.”