Malley can bring dynamism to the team’s midfield says Rovers boss

Bit O’Red manager John Russell is enthused by the arrival of Connor Malley who impressed at Dundalk

SLIGO Rovers senior men’s team manager John Russell has hailed the acquisition of Connor Malley as a “marquee signing” for the upcoming 2024 season.

Malley joined the Bit O’Red from Dundalk where he had spent the 2023 season, making 37 appearances, scoring three goals and claiming four assists.

Prior to this he was an academy player at Middlesbrough where he went on to make four first team appearances. He also had spells with Rochdale, Carlisle United, Ayr United and Gateshead, most of which were loans while contracted to Middlesbrough.

Malley revealed he was contacted prior to the end of the season about a move to The Showgrounds which had appealed to him ever since playing Rovers during the season.

“Towards the end of the season John got in touch and explained his plans for next season, where the club was going and I was excited by what he said and what he saw in me. We had countless conversations and I think coming here really suits my style of play.

“I could see an identity in the team here and there is a style of play they are trying to build, I especially saw it the first time we played each other, we were played off the park for a lot of that game and it was in the back of my mind ever since.”

On adapting to a new league last year, Malley said he was impressed with the standard and feels he made a decent contribution to Dundalk’s season but feels he still has far more to offer.

“It was a big change, I had only played in England and briefly in Scotland. It takes time to adapt but I felt I hit the ground running and I am ready to further kick on and add more goals and assists to my game, I didn’t get as many last year as I hoped I would but I know to do that I need to add more consistency to my game as well and more goals and assists will follow.”

Like any player, Malley has no lack of ambition and wants to do his part to help Rovers fight for a European spot rather than toil away in a relegation battle. “One of the main draws coming over first was the chance to qualify for Europe but in learning about the quality of the league I could really only learn playing it every week and I have been impressed with the standard here.

“I know last year would have been a disappointing one up here but I can see there’s still plenty of ambition here and I’m coming here wanting to compete to get the club back into Europe.”

Russell declared the talented midfielder as a “marquee signing” whose style of play can excite fans and make Rovers a more potent attacking threat next season.

“I’m delighted to get Connor in, he is a marquee signing. I knew from the first time we played Dundalk last year he was the type of midfielder I’d love in my team and the style of player I want.

“Looking at the squad last year we lacked legs and energy in the middle of the park and I look at Connor as someone who can carry the ball, get past players and excite supporters with the way he plays.

Russell added: “You want players who know the league and Connor has seen what it takes to thrive here.

“It is physical and intense and you have to be at it every week but I think he is coming to a club that plays to his strengths and he will help us as much as we help him.”

Conor Malley, pictured, is Rovers’ fifth new signing for the 2024 campaign following the arrivals of JR Wilson, Wilson Waweru, Simon Power and Ellis Chapman

(loan).