18-YEAR-OLD DONEGAL DEFENDER Shane Blaney has made the switch across the water to Doncaster Rovers from Finn Harps.
The Letterkenny native was on the radar of the League One outfit for quite some time and yesterday, signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the club.
Blaney, who turns 19 this Saturday, is typically a defender but can also play in midfield. He made his senior debut for Finn Harps in September after coming through the ranks there. He went on to make a handful of League of Ireland appearances.
Blaney has also captained the Republic of Ireland Schoolboys side, and will now play under former Manchester United player Darren Ferguson — son of Alex — at Doncaster.
Having trained with his new teammates yesterday, he told the club’s official website:
“The aim is just to get as fit and strong as I can using the facilities here and put in the hard work. If I keep working hard I can eventually get into the first-team.
“I’m working with the fitness coaches now, then hopefully I can get a few games for the Development teamed show the gaffer and the lads what I can do.”
Ferguson added: “I’m very happy that Shane is now joining us here at Doncaster.
“We have been watching his progress at Finn Harps and have had him over here a couple of times. Shane wants to take his football career to the next stage so the coaching staff and management here are very much looking forward to helping him realize his ambitions with us at Doncaster Rovers.
NEWS | #DRFC have completed the signing of defender Shane Blaney from @FinnHarpsFC https://t.co/ngWuQWTyax pic.twitter.com/YR0JtV9DO1
— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) January 16, 2018
“It’s refreshing to see a club (Finn Harps) that wants to see players like Shane progress in their careers.”
Blaney thanked the coaches at Harps as he made the move, with manager Ollie Horgan singing his praises and wishing him luck.
“It’s a great opportunity for any young lad to get and I and all at Finn Harps want to wish him the very best in his ambition to make a career as a full-time professional footballer.”
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