Following the arrival of Canadian International Ben Fisk to Derry City last week, another Canadian International has arrived in the League of Ireland with Sligo Rovers signing 21 year-old winger Kris Twardek.
Twardek joined English Club Millwall in 2016 and he spent the second part of last season on loan at League 2 side Carlisle United. During that spell he played in 12 matches.
Twardek played two games in the Championship for Millwall, as well as featuring in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy. He made his senior International debut against El Salvador last October, while just month he captained the Canadian Under-21s in the prestigious Toulon tournament. He’s signed an 18-month contract at the Showgrounds.
The bitored boss Gerard Lyttle said that he done his research on the player before bringing him in and got glowing references. He said, “I think Kris’ pedigree speaks volumes.
He spent six months with Carlisle on loan and I spoke with Keith Curle and he thought really well of him, of his enthusiasm, and the talent and potential.”
“Kris was recommended to us by Gerry Cassidy, and those I followed it up with in England were really surprised he was leaving that level, and the discussions on the phone we’ve had have shown he’s a great guy who is really up for this move.”
Lyttle knows that the experience that Twardek has gained Internationally with the underage sides is hugely important as he looks to remain involved in the senior set-up with his country. Lyttle said, “The progress he has made at international level has been excellent and he has a lot of experience at all underage levels now, and I know he wants to try to be in the senior squad on a regular basis in the future after a taste so far.”
“He’s hard-working, strong, quick and a big lad too which is what we are looking for. He can play as a winger, across a front three and has filled in a wing-back as well.”
“Kris clearly has a lot of ability and he feels Sligo Rovers can give him the chance to build on it and show what he can do. The club were very sharp in getting the deal over the line and I'm grateful for that.”
“It’s important we don’t jump into signing players for the sake of it. We’ve moved some players out to free up room to improve the quality in the squad and in Mikey Drennan and Kris I’m confident that will prove to be the case.”
“We are targeting another signing or two. It’s tricky. We have to manage the budget, and the players we bring in have to really improve us. That's what we'll be looking for."
Twardek said of moving to the Showgrounds: "Kevin Nugent at Millwall told me about Sligo's interest from a contact of his in Ireland. He was always really good to me there and he started the move. I've spoken with the manager and he seems like a really good guy. From our conversations he told me what he wants from me and for the club.”
The winger knows that at this stage if his career he needs to play on a regular basis, especially if he wants to stay involved with the International set-up, “I spent over five years at Millwall and while I got a taste of the Championship and the EFL Cups, I needed more games. I got some on loan last season at Carlisle. But now I need to really play every week and make a big impact for myself and the team. From speaking to a few Irish friends in London and elsewhere, they told me about the League of Ireland and how it's growing. They said the teams pass the ball and aren't overly direct, and that will suit my game.”
"I want to keep wearing that Canadian shirt at all the levels and get more caps at senior level and in order to do so I have to work really hard and be a great player for Sligo.”
While confessing that he doesn’t know much about the league here, he has been researching it, “It's a new chapter that I'm really excited about. I've been looking up the league and Sligo Rovers over the last couple of weeks. I didn't know a lot before that to be honest, but all the things I've seen have been positive. It seems like a really good club.”
"Primarily my position is on the right of a front three, but I can play in other positions. In the Toulon tournament a few weeks ago I played right-wing but I also played wing-back in a game. Obviously that versatility helps players, but I'd be looking at the attacking role on the right side.”
“I've signed for 18 months and from some clips I've seen Sligo have got some good players. I want to help the team get up the table, play in the big cup competitions coming up and take what I see as a great opportunity that has come my way. This morning I'd like to thank all those that helped make the deal possible and I can't wait to get to training and get on the pitch soon and play for Rovers."
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