Sligo sign midfielder Richards on loan from Notts County

Sligo Rovers have announced the signing of Jordan Richards on loan from Notts County until the end of June and the graduation of Mikey Place to the first team squad.

18-year-old Richards arrives in Sligo having spent a successful three-month loan spell with Conference North side Boston United, during which he scored one goal in five appearances.

"He is an exciting talent,” Sligo manager Dave Robertson told the club's website.

“I know him from playing against my teams at Peterborough United for Notts County so I was aware of him from then and through his loan spell with Boston United.

“I have a good partnership and link with Guy Branston, the chief scout and head of youth at Notts County so I spoke with him, they brought him through their system.

“From what I have seen of him play and the background checks I have done he will be an ideal one for us. I think he will be really good this year and he is relishing the challenge of coming over.

“I see him playing as a midfielder, he is a really excellent there. But also he can provide cover at the back. With the squad we have where we are going for quality over quantity we need to have players who can cover a number of positions so he is ideal.

“He has a very good passing range and can break up the play with his tackling so I see him playing a very big role for us in this season. It’s excellent for young players to come over here.

“He is one that we know has experienced senior football. So we know that he can cope with that and can manage the physicality of it, and the league here in Ireland will be physical this year.

“He gives us good quality in possession which is what our game will be about. He also provides the ability get control of the game and will get us passing and playing with a purpose and energy. I am really pleased to have got his signing".

Richards told the club's website: “Dave was a very big factor in me choosing to come here. I am really looking forward to having the chance to work under him here.

“You can see from the record over his career that he likes working with youth. Hopefully we will work together well and it can be a good season for us.

“I arrived on Monday and had my first training session on Monday morning. The standard of everything here is really good so far, I have been really impressed.

“I had a look at the ground too at the stadium and it looks very good so I can’t wait to be able to play there.”

The club also confirmed that Galway teenager Mikey Place has signed his first professional contract with the club.

“I am really pleased to have signed Mikey,” Richardson told the club's website.

“Having watch him play when I came first he was one that caught my eye with the impact he had on the game against Limerick.

“He has added to that by being really impressive in the training session I had with the under-19s. And now with the first team in the last couple of weeks he has really flown.

“For me it was a simple process to get him signed. It’s what we are all about to give local players a chance and he is one that has really stood out.

“He can play as a midfielder or a striker and he’s full of energy. He is really good in the attacking areas and has the pace to get in behind defences and cause them problems.

“He has scored some fantastic goals and he a real natural eye for where the goal is. But he also has a good understanding of his role in the team and the defensive structure that we have.

“He’s got the energy and the desire to go and win the ball back quickly. He understand exactly what we are looking for from him and is definitely one for the future I think.”