Johan is the first new recruit for 2023
JOHAN Brannefalk, a full-back from Sweden, is the first signing made by Sligo Rovers for 2023. The 24-year-old, who started out as a youth player with Malmo FF, Sweden’s most successful club, has spent the last two years at Norrby IF in the Superettan, Sweden’s second tier. He has also played for Ljungskile SK and and Trelleborg.
With Lewis Banks understood to be moving on, Brannefalk will take the right-back berth, with further defensive signings required. Left-back Paddy Kirk’s switch to Bohemians – a club that his former Rovers teammate, midfielder Adam McDonnell, has joined – means that the Bit O’Red are looking to fill this vacancy. Dundalk’s Darragh Leahy is one of the defenders that Rovers are reportedly looking at.
Brannefalk – new to the SSE Airtricity League – joins 14 players already under contract at The Showgrounds for next season. Two of these first team players, centre-back Garry Buckley and winger Mark Byrne, are currently recovering from serious knee injuries and aren’t expected to be available until
ROVERS SQUAD
Luke McNicholas (gk), Conor Walsh (gk), Eanna Clancy, Garry Buckley, Kailin Barlow, Niall Morahan, Cillian Heaney, Frank Liivak, Karl O’Sullivan, Mark Byrne, Fabrice Hartmann (loan), Max Mata, Aidan Keena, Johan Brannefalk, Greg Bolger
June of next year. Rovers may also find it difficult to reject a mega offer for striker Aidan Keena, the top goalscorer in this season’s Premier Division. Manager John Russell also had to enhance his midfield options following the departure of Adam McDonnell and Robbie Burton, whose loan spell from Dinamo Zagreb has ended.
Russell is enthused about what Brannefalk can bring to the first team. The Galway man said: “He is an attacking full-back who will fit in perfectly with how we want to play. He possesses a great passing range and crossing ability.
“Johan comes to us at a really good stage in his career. He has plenty of experience from the top two tiers in Sweden and I know he’s looking forward to this new challenge.” Rovers’ new signing was equally enthusiastic about coming to Sligo. Brannefalk stated: “I want to win every game we play – that is, of course, not realistic but that is the mindset I have going into every game.” Meanwhile, experienced midfielder Greg Bolger will be remaining at The Showgrounds for another season. This will be a third season in Sligo for the Wexford native, 34, who first joined the club for the 2021 campaign – he was signed by then manager Liam Buckley. Competitive Bolger has also played for UCD, Dundalk, St Patrick’s Athletic, Cork City and
Shamrock Rovers.
NEW CLUB: Midfielder Adam McDonnell, has headed to Bohemians and Swede Johan Brannefalk, has joined Rovers for the 2023 campaign.