Luke McNicholas has signed a new contract with Sligo Rovers this afternoon, committing his future to the club for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

The Mayo man, who turned 21 earlier this month, is highly-regarded at The Showgrounds.

McNicholas has been with the club for six years. In June 2019, Luke signed a new two and a half year deal with the club to keep him.

He has made three senior appearances for the club and has been number two goalkeeper for the last 18 months.

McNicholas has penned a new contract today.

Liam Buckley said: “From my first days here I could see just how good a goalkeeper Luke is. We made a decision when Mitch Beeney left that Ed and Luke would be our goalkeepers because there was no doubt that they were good enough. Luke was 19 then and he has progressed considerably in that time.

“That is perhaps something our supporters have not seen because with the 18 game-season last year and one Cup competition, it made it harder for an opportunity to come up. He has pushed Ed extremely hard.

“I see it every day and I have to give credit to Luke because his contribution to the group has been very important to us. Luke’s game has developed in many aspects.

“The one area he has missed out on somewhat is first-team experience. Luke has spoken to me privately about his desire to play and we understand it.

“During this two-year contract Luke will play games and that may be elsewhere for a period. We want to keep him here in the long-term.

“We don’t know what can happen but what we do know is securing Luke for the next couple of years is great news for us and also shows his desire to be successful here.  We know he is going to go prove himself as a top class goalkeeper, so we’re delighted he’s signed. He has a great career ahead.”

Luke McNicholas said: “Being in the first-team environment has been fantastic for me. There are top players, coaches like Leo and Russ and the gaffer (Leo Tierney, John Russell and Liam Buckley). Working with them every day has been brilliant.

“I’ve a great relationship with Ed and he’s a top drawer goalkeeper. We bounce off each other really well and we’ve had that for a few years now. He has done really well.

“I want to go on and be the number one goalkeeper here. I think that’s what helps our relationship because we both have that hunger and respect for each other as well.

“I’m happy because I want to stay here in the long-term. The gaffer and the club have been very fair in the conversations we’ve had and I’m just really looking forward to the future and showing what I can do here.”