Gary Boylan has committed his future to Sligo Rovers, despite interest from a number of other clubs within the League of Ireland.
The versatile Belmullet native has been one of the best young players in the league for the past few seasons, and his decision comes as a huge boost to the Bit O’ Red ahead of the 2018 season.
Boylan had reportedly attracted the interest of Shamrock Rovers and Derry City, both of whom have qualified for European football for next season.
The 21-year-old has been a regular with the Bit O’ Red since emerging from the club’s under-19 side in 2014.
He becomes the 14th senior player to commit to the Showgrounds for next season.
He said: “I’m delighted to sign back. The past couple of years have not been what we wanted but there is ambition next season to do bigger and better things. We want to challenge in the top half and further up.
“We have kept many of the players from last year. We had a really good finish to the season which proved how good the squad was for the latter part of the season. We’ve kept the players that helped us stay up and hopefully we can bring in more now to improve the squad further.
“I had interest from a club playing in Europe next year and when a club doing that comes in for you, you will think about. I just think next year at Sligo will be a big year. There are big things going to happen I feel.
“Gerard has big ambitions for the club and that was a massive attraction for me.”
Lyttle said: “Gary’s talent is there for all to see. We want him to become a regular in a position next season.
“There was interest in him for one or two clubs and we’ve shown what we want to do because he’s one of our own and we don’t want to lose the players we’ve brought through. It’s the ambition here to do that and keep the players here regardless of what other clubs do.
“We want Gary to be more consistent next year. His downfall is that he has too many positions. I could list them all day and he’s a manager’s dream in that sense. We see him a central midfielder or right-back. He can play holding or as a box-to-box number eight.
“With Tobi leaving, it will also create an opportunity for Gary at right-back. I had a long conversation with him and he wants to settle in one position. He’s the type of player that will play goal in goals if I asked him.
“He feels he can play that number eight role and there is that opportunity at right-back now too.
“He needs to work a bit more on some aspects of right-back and he will.
“We’re delighted to have him on board. I want him to be able to reflect on next season as his most consistent at the club and if he can do that he will be a really influential player for us.”
Lyttle said on his signing future plans: “I can’t give too many details but there is lots happening and players further afield we are looking at it. We are looking to get more on board soon.”
