SARACENS HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of Ireland U20 hooker Tadgh McElroy on a deal which will see the Dundalk native join the club’s senior academy.
The 19-year-old was last week removed from Ireland’s squad for the Junior World Championship in Georgia as a move to England inched closer.
McElroy joins Saracens, the current European champions, after being recruited by Mike Ruddock to play for Lansdowne RFC in the Ulster Bank League.
In a statement via his agent, McElroy said it was a tough decision to leave Ireland but insisted he ’100% knows’ it’s the right one as he looks to continue his development.
“Just wanted to say I am over the moon to have signed with Saracens for the next year,” he said.
“It was a tough decision to leave Ireland but I know 100% it is the best environment for me to test myself and develop as a player at the moment.
“I want to thank everyone in Dundalk RFC for all the support and coaching over the years and all the underage coaches I have worked with in Leinster Youths, Leinster and at Ireland U20s. A big thanks to Mike Ruddock and Lansdowne for picking me out of Dundalk and giving me the shot to play AIL rugby. I hope I repaid that faith.
“Finally, a big thank you to my agent Niall Woods who made this happen for me.”
McElroy featured in all five of Ireland’s U20 Six Nations games in 2017 and made a big impression in the front row as he scored three tries.
Saracens academy manager, Mike Hynard said: “Tadgh is a highly-rated prospect and we’re very happy that he will be joining our academy system. He’s a powerful player, a very good ball-carrier and is strong at the set-piece.
“We’re looking forward to helping Tadgh settle in at Saracens and help him fulfil his potential both on and off the field.”
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