Sligo Rovers are delighted to have retained the services of one of 2016’s key players in Liam Martin.
Martin will remain at The Showgrounds for next season after signing a new one-year contract.
The forward is in his second spell with the Bit o’Red, after beginning his career with the club’s underage team he moved to
Ballinamallard United in 2014 before re-joining a year ago.
The Donegalman excelled upon his return barely missing a minute of football and amassed 33 appearances across all competitions along with four goals.
He was nominated as one of Rovers Players of the Year for 2016 along with Micheal Schlingermann, Jimmy Keohane and eventual winner Raff Cretaro.
Rovers now have three players from County Donegal signed after the recent acquisition of Kyle Callan-McFaddan and Shaun Patton.
In total the number of players signed by Dave Robertson for his 2017 squad totals 16.
Robertson gave his reaction to retaining Martin in his squad.
The Rovers manager praised the 22 year-old’s work rate as they key attribute he brings to the squad.
“I am really delighted to have signed Liam today. He was a big part of our team last year. Having been with the club previously and went away to experience senior football at Ballinamallard he came back and did really well.
“He is a player that still has more development potential in him. I think that he is capable of adding more goals to his game and that is something that he will keep working at. If he does that he will be a real asset here at this club.”
Martin was nominated as a Player of the Year for the club but his success wasn’t a surprise to Robertson:
“He did surpass the expectations a lot of people had for him but I knew what he was capable of. Having worked with him I could see that his work ethic was second to none. He is a player that strives to improve every day and is a real unselfish team-player.
“His work-rate is a real example to all of the team. We need that blend of ingredients in the side. Liam goes out and wears his heart on his sleeve every time he steps on the pitch. We also have the quality players that you need to open teams up, we have those in abundance. But adding the energy and work rate of Liam is what we need. There is no-one more willing to work hard for the team than Liam.”
