Sligo Rovers have continued their impressive mid-season recruitment with the news that their on-loan goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney has agreed to sign permanently for the club from Chelsea on an 18-month deal.
Beeney came to the club in the off-season to battle for the number 1 jersey with Michael Schlingermann, a battle he won, as he continuously improved in recent months and impressed with his performances.
He will join the club on a contract from July the 1st until the end of the 2019 season.
Beeney said: “When I sat down with the manager, he said the offer was there to have my future at Sligo Rovers and it was a no-brainer for me. I’ve settled really well here. I hadn’t played this many games in a couple of years and after one or two which I needed to get up to speed, I think it has gone really well. My aim is to keep the number one jersey now that I have it and make it my own. I know Ed (McGinty) is progressing all the time and will challenge me but I know it’s there for me to keep it.”
Beeney was also quick to give praise to his manager Gerard Lyttle, who has come under pressure after only winning twice at home this season. Beeney said, “Gerard is one of the better managers I’ve worked under. He has time for everyone no matter what the situation is. When I signed I said I was made very welcome by everyone at the club. That welcome hasn’t stopped. There is a great dressing-room of lads there and the people around The Showgrounds are really helpful.”
“The challenge for me is to reward the faith the club and manager have shown in me and it’s nice to hear that he thinks I can do so well. I want to prove him right and I think I can.”
Beeney knows that results have to follow the good performances of late, “We had a few clean sheets recently but we also haven’t got the results our performances have deserved. I’d like to help the club get up the table and I’m delighted my future is here in Sligo for this season and next.”
He becomes the second signing in two days, after the announcement that striker Mikey Drennan will return to the League of Ireland with Sligo.
Bitored boss Lyttle said after capturing the 22 year-old, “This is another important move for us. We speak about building a quality squad over a long period of time and this is a big piece of that.”
“Mitchell has come in, he has taken a few games to get used to a new league and playing first-team football, and he has certainly proven himself over the last couple of months of what a top quality goalkeeper he is.”
“I think on his performances recently Mitchell is proving to be right up there with the best goalkeepers in the league and he can go on to be the very best.”
The keeper left one of the biggest clubs in English football to head to the Showgrounds and get game time, and Lyttle knows it was a big step for the young man, “He gambled coming here to be truthful, he didn’t know much about the league and he has to be respected for that because it was a big move to make. It’s really paid off for him and the club and it’s a good example to players of what first-team football can do and how it brings you on.”
“Mitchell loves playing here, he loves the supporters and the environment around the club. Over the next 18 months I want to see him keep improving, building on the talent he has and he’s got the application to do so. I also want to show our gratitude to Chelsea Football Club.”
“They are obviously a club of huge stature in English football but I have to whole-heartedly thank them for their help in Mitchell coming here and the permanent switch that will occur from 1 July. They’ve been terrific and we’re very grateful for their professionalism throughout.”
Sligo will play their final game ahead of the mid-season break when they head to the capital on Friday night to face St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.
Photo Credit: Sligo Rovers
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