Sligo Rovers are excited to confirm that Republic of Ireland underage striker Jamie O’Donnell has today joined the Bit O’Red, signing a long-term contract.
Rated as one of the top young talents in the region, this will be 16-year-old O’Donnell’s first professional contract.
A native of Buncrana in County Donegal, O’Donnell started out with local club Cockhill Celtic with whom he spent ten years.
After those years at Cockhill, he then moved on to Derry City’s academy, featuring at several underage levels for the Candystripes.
The teen has also represented Ireland at under 15 and 16s, making his international debut in Portugal and most recently featured in a game with Netherlands. He netted twice in a game with Greece and recently scored a late winner against Hungary. He also featured for Derry’s first team against Rovers in a friendly at the start of this year.
O’Donnell’s eye for a goal and huge potential means his progress has been closely tracked by Rovers boss John Russell who is thrilled to get this move over the line.
“It’s important that we try to attract the best young talent to Sligo Rovers so I’m delighted that we’ve secured this signing”, Russell tells sligorovers.com.
“He has represented Ireland at underage level and he has all the attributes to become a top centre forward.
“From chatting to Jamie and his parents, I was really struck by his mentality. A lot of young players have talent but you also need to have the mindset to work hard and push yourself. We feel that this is the right environment for Jamie to develop and progress and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”
O’Donnell is already familiar with some of his new team-mates having played in the same Irish side as fellow Donegal man and Rovers goalkeeper Charlie McGarvey. While centre half Gareth McElroy is from just down the road.
“Sligo’s such a nice area and would already know a few players at the club which of course, helps a lot”, Jamie says.
“I know Charlie quite well and he’s a team mate with Ireland. Gareth would be from my area too and I’m looking forward to having the chance to maybe go up against both of them in training when I can and of course playing alongside them.”
Describing his style of play as similar to World Cup stars Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, O’Donnell is keen to make his mark at the Showgrounds and continue to progress on the international stage.
“I’d see myself as a number nine as I’ve consistently scored goals in that position at all levels. But I am also comfortable anywhere across the front three and in the ten.
“I really like Kane and Haaland as they are both top class nines.They have different styles but I like to take characteristics from both of them.
“I really enjoyed (being with Ireland) and hopefully I’ll continue to be involved with Ireland during my time at Rovers.”
Citing Rovers’ Abbvie Academy’s record of producing young players ready for the first team, Jamie is keen to follow the same lines as the likes of current first team players McElroy and Daire Patton. Both of whom are graduates of our youth system.
“There’s definitely a pathway here”, Jamie states.
“Johnny Kenny and Owen Elding’s journeys have certainly highlighted that. Daire and Gareth are thriving in the first team at the moment.
“What’s best for me and my future was important in deciding to come here and the opportunity to one day play first team football, hopefully in the near future played a massive part in me coming to Sligo. The plan is to work hard and get my chance at senior level and make the most of it. My dream is to become a first-team regular here.
David Goulden
