Sligo Rovers sign defender Patrick McClean from Waterford

Sligo Rovers have signed defender Patrick McClean from Waterford on a two-year deal after negotiating an undisclosed fee with the south-west club.

21-year-old McClean, who can play centre-half or left-back, was a key part of the Waterford squad that won the First Division in 2017.

He started his career with hometown club Derry City, making 14 league appearances for the Candystripes over two seasons.

The defender, a brother of Republic of Ireland international James McClean, made the decision to drop down a division and join the Blues ahead of the 2017 season.

And after committing to another year at Waterford late last year, he's chosen to make the move back to the north-west, where he will play alongside his former Derry teammate Seamus Sharkey.

“I’m delighted to finally be here,” McClean told the Bit o' Red's official website.

“It has taken some time to get everything signed off.

“I was at the game on Saturday. There was a great crowd there, over 3,000 which is brilliant for a League of Ireland side. I was treated so well and the people couldn’t do enough.

“I felt when the team conceded the goal, they lacked bite. That’s something I will try to bring. I’m here to play.

“The gaffer mentioned about the possibility of playing centre half or left back because of a couple of injuries in defence but I’m happy just to play.

“It was hard to focus in the last while as pre-season concluded. Now I’m here, I want to bed myself into the club and make my mark.”

Manager Gerard Lyttle added: “Patrick is aggressive, strong in a tackle, good in the air and was captaining Waterford for some matches at 20-years-old which will tell you about his mentality.

"He had been with Derry and the season with Waterford has brought him along further. I was trying to sign him at Cliftonville when he was at Derry and I've been tracking him since.

“He is a centre half but can also feature at left-back. When we have a full hand defensively, it's going to be hard fought to get in the team and that's brilliant for us.

"Patrick offers a goal threat at set pieces. We didn't look the biggest of sides against Limerick and that's another positive in him joining us. It's a big addition."

McClean could make his Sligo debut at home against his former club Derry on Saturday evening.