Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that adventurous wing-back Jeannot Esua has agreed to join the club on a two-year deal. The Cameroonian defender signs having spent the last two seasons with Galway United and links up with the Bit O’Red after signing a contract until the end of the 2027 season, effective from this Monday, December 1st.

Esua, 29, was a stand-out player in the League of Ireland over the past few years and his signature brings to seventeen the number of players already signed ahead of the 2026 season.

Born in Idenau on the Cameroon coast in 1996, Esua commenced his career at Rainbow Bamenda before signing on with Californian side Orange County in the US. Impressing there, he moved north and across the border to Canadian Premier League side Edmonton FC where he spent three seasons, winning their Player of the Year in 2019.

His performances were well noted by clubs in Europe and in February 2022 he moved on to the Finnish leagues, where he would spend a season each with Lappeenranta and Ekenas. The latter with which Esua achieved promotion to the Finnish top flight.

Jeannot made the move to Ireland before the start of the 2024 League of Ireland season and Galway’s first year back in the Premier Division, appearing and excelling in over 60 games for the Tribesmen.

Speaking to sligorovers.com, Esua, known for his mauruading runs down the right side, has been tracked by Rovers boss John Russell for several years, even before his time with Galway. He says he feels the move to Sligo has now come at the perfect time for him.

“I had offers but I didn’t want to join any club just for the sake of it”, he states.

“I wanted to join a club where I could have a lot of belief in the project and that was here at Rovers. I’ve spoken to John on several occasions throughout the last few years, even before I joined Galway and now I feel it is the time I want to join a club like Rovers. There’s big ambition here and there’s a lot of excitement around the place.

“John spoke to me and told me a lot of things even about myself which to be honest, I wasn’t aware of. I was so impressed as he showed me videos of my play and he was able to tell me where I was able to improve and how I can slot into the Rovers team and help improve the way we’ll play. He’s very keen on his job and is certainly straight forward in his dealings, his message and the way he wants you to fit in.

“Sligo were alway exciting to play against and watch. They always had a game plan when they played us and stuck to it even when the game was going against them. You always saw the patterns of play, John’s information he gave his players was always noticeable and clear. I’m excited to play under him.

“I have a good understanding of how the league is played, the quality of the players you’re up against and playing with. I feel I can contribute my own quarter to things that bit better given I have experience of playing League of Ireland football now.

“To be honest, I don’t speak too much but I like to lead by example and let my actions speak. I’m a player who loves to put my head down, work and let what I do on the pitch speak for me. I just love to play the game with freedom and make things happen. I just want to help the team in the best way I can and show my quality. Hopefully I’ll do that here and give fans plenty to clap for on match day.”

Esua was first convinced to ply his trade on Irish shores by the late Ollie Horgan, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Jeannot was keen to acknowledge the input the former Galway United assistant had in his career and says making the move across Connacht was a tough one but one he feels will pay dividends.

“It was tough to leave United”, he continued.

“Ever since I joined, everyone was there for me. They showed great belief in me and every time I wore their jersey, I wanted to give something back to them and fight for them. I spoke to John (Caulfield) and was very up front with him. I wanted to join a club where I can fit in and play the way I want to play. It was difficult but right now I think it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter.

“Ollie had a big say in anyone who came into Galway and I am forever grateful to him for the opportunity. My time with him was great, he was a great man. His information was always clear, the way he wanted to play and what he wanted from us the players. He was a funny guy, a great character and I’ll always be grateful for having met him and played under him.”

Esua will be the first player from the country which gave the world the ‘Indomitable Lions’ to play for Rovers since legendary Cameroonian midfielder Joseph Ndo. He admits he never had the joy of seeing ‘Joey’ live but wants to emulate him in as many ways as he can.

“I never got the chance to see him play live but my Dad did and he spoke a lot to me about Joey”, he says.

“I’ve seen a lot of his videos on Youtube and some of what he did on the pitch with a ball was crazy. I’ve heard so much from the lads I’ve played with about him. He seemed to have done so much for Rovers and this league it’s quite an honour to be just the second Cameroonian to play here. I want to now contribute my own quarter here and make my own mark, as Ndo did.”

Looking ahead to how Esua can make an impact, Rovers manager Russell told sligorovers.com that he sees Jeannot as another key acquisition who fits the bill.

“This is a signing I think will really excite our supporters”, Russell says.

“Jeannot was a real stand out for Galway over the last two seasons and I feel the attributes he showcased week in, week out will really suit our system and our style of play.

“He’s a very dynamic type of player and we’re really looking forward to working with him and getting the best out of him.

“Jeannot loves to get forward, delivering crosses and creating opportunities. Anyone who’s watched League of Ireland the past few years will know how good he is and how well regarded he is.

“He’s quick and aggressive and strong in one on ones. His experience is going to be a big addition to what we have here. I feel he’s a really big signing for us.”

David Goulden

*Players signed for 2026 season: Jeannot Esua, Daire Patton, Alex Nolan, Carl McHugh, Ollie Denham, Sam Sargeant, Paddy McClean, Gareth McElroy, Conor Reynolds, Sean Stewart, Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh, Archie Meekison, Will Fitzgerald, Seb Quirk, Kyle McDonagh and Jad Hakiki.