Buckley boosts squad with addition of Dunleavy and Bermuda captain Leverock
Sligo Rovers last week added Bermuda captain Dante Leverock to their squad for 2019 as he joined from Estonian outfit Narva Trans.
The centre half had an impressive season in the Estonian league, including scoring eight goals from the back. He has 15 caps and two goals with Bermuda and was recently appointed captain when quickly emerging as a leader for the side who are pushing for Gold Cup qualification.
He started his career in English non-league before joining Harrisburg City Islanders in America and returned to play for Ilkeston under Shaun Goater.
Leverock was a stand out player for Narva Trans as they finished fourth in the top flight in Estonia. He said after signing a one-year contract: “It’s an honour to sign for Sligo Rovers today.
“I’d heard about the club from former player Ciaran Nugent who I know from the Islanders and Jake Keegan too who plays for St Pat’s.
“I’ve done my research on Sligo Rovers and I see the community aspect of the club, that there’s a family within the club and that really attracted me to here.
“It’s important to me to be part of a close-knit group and I see football is very popular in Sligo.
“I’ve worked very hard to make it as a professional and I’ve just had a very good experience in Estonia. I think I did well and at international level it has been positive too.
“When I spoke to Liam I really couldn’t pass up the chance to come play for him and this club. He told me of how he wants Rovers to improve and I think he can help grow me as a player. He explained there will be tough competition but that’s something I thrive on and it makes us all better players.”
Manager Liam Buckley said: “Dante emerged as a possible signing and we took a good look at him and thought he had something to offer.
“He’s a good big centre half and while his goal record might stand out, he’s a defender so clean sheets is his target. He’s got a good background of experience in English non-league and he’s coming with the knowledge of playing abroad and international level. That’s useful as we have a lot of youth in our squad and we need a balance. He’s hungry to make as good a career as he can for himself and this is another step forward for him again which we think he can take.”
It was announced on Friday that former Cork City man Johnny Dunleavy has joined the Bit O’Red.
The Ballybofey man has signed for the Bit O’ Red after a decorated spell with Cork that began in 2012. He was captain of the club for the latter part of that spell. Dunleavy is extremely versatile and can feature across the defence, as well as in midfield.
Liam Buckley said of his latest signing for 2019: “I think Johnny has many great attributes. “He is the type of player that can be a big influence at the club but the target is to have a good pre-season and establish himself and then the rest will largely follow.
“It’s no secret he has had his injury problems but we think he is a player worth investing in and he is really enthusiastic about getting back to playing regularly.
“He is an accomplished player in several positions and again he has that bit of nous from being in the league for a long time and at a club that has had success. We’re delighted to have him on board. I think he feels enthused by what we’re trying to do here. He understands it will take time and patience is required.
“We’re pleased with how things are progressing and we’re looking to bring in more players when we can. It’s not easy for any club out there and we’re working hard to get the lads we think would do well here.”
Johnny Dunleavy said: “Liam got in contact and asked me to meet him which I was delighted about. I had a fair idea about the club but what sold it to me was his enthusiasm and the excitement about it. I couldn’t speak highly enough of my time at Cork City. The move to Sligo isn’t about proximity or being closer to home. That isn’t really a factor. I’m in a place where I want to be part of a new project and challenge and this is ideal.
“You look at the likes of Ronan Murray signing and players like David Cawley here already and there’s certainly something building.
“I’m don’t want to win one week and lose the next. That isn’t going to fulfil me. My mentality is to try to win everything and I like to think I play with my heart on my sleeve.
“There will never be a lack of effort. We know it’s not overnight. I hope my experience and the likes of Ronan Murray from Dundalk can be beneficial to the young guys here and we can build on it.
“Everyone knows about long-term injuries. I’ve played some of the best football of my career in the likes of the first half of 2016 season where we won the league. I’d like to get back to that level and I think I can.”