LIMERICK HAVE MADE a firm statement of intent ahead of their return to the Airtricity League top-flight by securing the services of highly-rated winger Chiedozie Ogbene from Cork City.
The Shannonsiders, who won the First Division title last term, have been chasing the 19-year-old for quite a while and Ogbene has been training with the side since the weekend.
The Nigerian-born and Cork-raised teenager excelled with Stephen Birmingham’s U-19 team on Leeside last term and was a crucial ingredient as the group won the Enda McGuill Cup and became the the first Irish club to play in the Uefa Youth League.
Ogbene had already caught the attention of John Caulfield in 2015, when he was handed a first-team debut, but enjoyed much more playing time last year.
He scored three goals in eight league games and made a dozen appearances in total, coming off the bench in City’s FAI Cup victory over Dundalk at the Aviva Stadium last November.
Speaking to The42 last month, Ogbene still hadn’t signed a new deal with City but had ambitions to put pen to paper on a full-time contract.
Limerick have been quick to pounce and boss Martin Russell will hope the eye-catching, energetic wide-man will provide some sparkle in the season ahead.
