Sam Warde has joined Sligo Rovers on loan from Colchester United until the end of June, subject to international clearance.

The Limerick-man will turn 21 next month and moves to the Bit O’Red ahead of tonight’s home game with St Patrick’s Athletic.

A midfielder, Warde joined Colchester from Huddersfield in 2017 where he featured regularly for the Under-23 side. 

He had a brief one-month spell with Leiston in September but switches to The Showgrounds now with a view to making a big impact.

He said: “I’m itching for an opportunity to play first-team football now.

“I’ve played at underage levels but I need to be playing, and regularly playing at that, in a senior side.

“I’d know Ronan Coughlan, we went over to England at the same time, but apart from that there isn’t too much I’m familiar with here. 

“I’ve been following the league in the last couple of seasons and it’s a good standard and it looks really competitive. 

“I know there is 20+ games during the spell here so I want to get myself into the team and help Sligo Rovers do well.” 

Liam Buckley added: “Sam is a defensive midfielder and is a good passer of the ball. At his age, he should be coming in here ready to get into team and have a right go at it. 

“He’ll have to get to grips with the league and what not, but he has an opportunity here to stake a claim and showcase the talent which brought him to England.

“I’d love to see us get the best out of him and we’ll be encouraging him every step of the way for the time he is with us.”