THERE’S NOE PLACE LIKE HOME
Hutchinson delight as he and Baba join Waterford
DESSIE HUTCHINSON believes he will thrive on home comforts after swapping life at Brighton for hometown club Waterford.
The defensive midfielder was one of two signings confirmed by the Blues yesterday with defender Noe Baba also returning home after time in England.
The double signing of the ex-irish youth internationals was expected but is unlikely to be the only business done by the Europe-chasing RSC outfit this summer.
Hutchinson made one first team appearance for Chris Hughton’s Seagulls last season, playing 120 minutes of a 1-0 League Cup defeat to Bournemouth that went to extra-time in September.
A Brighton U23 team-mate of Blues’ Dylan Barnett and St Pat’s Thomas Byrne, Hutchinson is relishing his League of Ireland switch.
“I want to enjoy my football and this is a great fit for me,” he said yesterday. “I decided to stay in Waterford rather than go back across the water. It’s my GOOD TO BE BACK Dessie Hutchinson beams yesterday as he joins his hometown club Waterford hometown club, to get the opportunity to play for Waterford is brilliant. The way Alan Reynolds has the team playing suits my style.
“It’s a much different club than the one that was here when I moved to Brighton and I’ve been impressed so far.
“I’ve been in around the squad, I’ve seen the quality of the players and I’m really excited to be involved. Players like Paul Keegan and Noel Hunt have been there and done it, their experience is invaluable and it’ll be a big help to me. The club is really going places and it’ll be great for my parents, my family and my girlfriend to be able to see the games.
“My mother and father used to come to every match when I was younger so it’ll be great to have them watching me again for my hometown club. I can’t wait to get started.”
Hutchinson and Baba are not eligible for Saturday’s league game away to Sligo Rovers as it comes one day shy of the transfer window opening on July 1.
But they will hope to leave their mark on a Waterford side that sits third in the table and is in the driving seat for a European finish.
Hutchinson could be poised for an immediate impact in a defensive midfield role amid speculation that Stanley Aborah could be on his way out.
Blues boss Reynolds said: “We’ve made no secret that we’re looking to strengthen the side and both players are good additions. They’re young players who’ll be looking to make an impact and that’s what I’m looking for.”
Like Hutchinson, Baba has also donned the Irish shirt at underage level and returns home after spells with Fulham, Birmingham City and Macclesfield Town.
The Cameroon-born defender said: “I’m not at all surprised that Waterford are third in the league. I’m looking forward to trying to keep the club moving in the right direction.”