Warde joins Sligo Rovers on loan from Colchester United

20 year-old Limerick native Sam Warde has joined Sligo Rovers on loan from Colchester United until the end of June, subject to international clearance.

Ward, who will celebrate his 21^st birthday in a couple of weeks, was on the Bit O’Red bench for Friday’s night’s home loss to St Patrick’s Athletic.

Midfielder Warde joined Huddersfield from Limerick side Mungret for the 2014/15 and represented the ‘Terriers’ at Under 18, Under 21 and Under 23 level.

Warde departed the John Smith’s Stadium in 2017 to join Colchester, where he featured regularly for the Under-23 side. 

Capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under 18 level, Warde had a brief one-month spell with Southern League side Leiston in September 2018 but switches to The Showgrounds where he is hoping to make a big impression.

Warde 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 (recently signed by Sligo from Cork City). 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.” 

Sligo boss 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 the 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.”