Ethan Boyle has brought a two-year spell with Finn Harps to an end to sign for Shamrock Rovers.
The Irish under-21 international began his career at Waterford where he broke into the senior team from the under-19s and went on to play two seasons before moving north.
"It didn't take much persuasion," Boyle said on signing for the Tallaght outfit.
"It's a big club and the thought of playing for Shamrock Rovers is quite a big thing so I was more than happy to join. I'm very excited, I can't wait to get to pre-season and hopefully get myself a starting position and hold it down."
Boyle played left-back and on the left-wing for Harps but he revealed that he's being brought in to help fill the void left by Simon Madden who left the Hoops in surprise circumstances last week.
"[The manager] Stephen Bradley hasn't specifically spoken to me about right-back but he's said that a position in the back four may be more suited. I've no problem staying in a position for a year and completely honing in on that position and becoming the best player I can."
"I've liked Ethan for a long time. I think he brings a lot of qualities to us," commented Bradley.
"He's very athletic, powerful and he can use the ball. He's very comfortable on the ball because he's played midfield as well. He has a lot of really good attributes. He's a good age, he's an Irish under 21 international so I think he's a great fit for us."
Bradley is confident that the 20-year-old can really develop with the coaching he will get at Rovers.
"I believe we can help take Ethan's game to the next level, make him into a top right back, centre-back and midfielder. He can play in 3 or 4 positions. I've known him for a number of years and he's impressed me every time I've seen him, whether it's right back or central midfield.
"We had him on trial a couple of years ago (under Pat Fenlon). Back then I think we had too many players in those positions. Ethan has obviously gone off and played a lot of games in the league since then.
"When I spoke to him he just wanted to come and sign for us and get playing. He knows that he can be a big player for the club in the coming years. He's really looking forward to it."
