Eighteen year old midfielder Steven Scott has signed a three year professional football contract with the Club.
Steven, the younger brother of fellow first team player, John, has grown up a stones throw away from Stangmore Park his entire life. To sign a professional deal for the Club is a dream come true for the Dungannon born lad.
“Signing a pro deal for your home town Club is something most people dream about when growing up as a young child. I aim to try and keep my place in the squad and push myself on into the starting XI when I can. I thank Dean (Shiels) for giving me this opportunity and thank all my youth coaches for helping get me to where I am today. I am excited about what the future holds for me!”
Steven Scott
First team manager, Dean Shiels, is delighted to have the eighteen year old sign his professional contract.
Steven is big player, he’s been superb in the team that won the Harry Cavan Youth Cup last year and he’s excelled in the U20’s this year. His development has really escalated in the last few weeks and he’s managed to get a couple of starts in the first team. We’re delighted to keep him . He’s a local lad who’s got a big future and obviously he’s got that connection with the Club with his brother John, and being from Dungannon. I’ve got really high hopes for Steven and I’m delighted his committed to the Club.
Manager – Dean Shiels
Pictured standing left to right: Dixie Robinson – Head of Youth Development, first team manager – Dean Shiels, and first team assistant
It’s been a busy day at Stangmore Park as we confirm our seventh signing of the transfer window. Dean Shiels welcomes striker, Michael O’Connor.
Michael is 24 years old and despite being still young he has a wealth of experience under his belt. Michael was a full-time player since starting at Dundalk as an academy player. His career to date has seen him play for Shamrock Rovers, Linfield, Ross County and most recently, Glentoran FC.
New signing – Chairman, Keith Boyd, New signing, Michael O’Connor and Manager, Dean Shiels.
“The move came quick and fast. I spoke to Dean on Monday of this week and now here we are the deal is done. I’m looking forward to it a lot. All the lads are the same age as me, young and hungry and wanting to do well. We will hopefully have a good season. Obviously I have my own goals for the season but I’m definitely a player with a point to prove. I’d like us to finish as high up the table as possible and see where it takes us.”
New Signing- Michael O’Connor
Manager Dean Shiels is excited about his new signing O’Connor;
“The Centre forward position we’ve been struggling all summer so I’m delighted to bring Michael in on a two year deal . He is a player who’s still very young but played for all the biggest clubs in Ireland north and south . I sense a great maturity about him now that was lacking before but His quality is unquestionable we will work hard to get the best out of him. I think he’s going to be a big player for the club.”
Manager, Dean Shiels has moved quickly to bring in centre back Darren Cole from Glentoran, on loan.
Having played previously for Livingston, Morton and then Rangers FC for about ten years before moving to Derry City and then on to Glentoran, Cole is eager to get involved at the Club.
“I play centre back but I can play full back and centre midfield. I played with Dean at Rangers and Derry city. It was easy enough for me to come here to Dungannon as we have a good relationship. The way he plays and the style of play is a real positive thing for me. I am looking to get three points from the get go, it’s about winning games. It’s a young squad but if you start getting points on the board early, you never know where you are going to end up. With the style of play and me being a bit older, I think I could try and help the younger players around me and learn off Dean himself. Hopefully we can have a strong start to the season.”
New signing – Darren Cole
“Darren is someone who I’ve played with twice I know him inside out. He’s played at the highest level in the champions league knock out stages with rangers.
He’s a very smart player with the highest quality. In possession and out of possession he brings so much to the team.
I’m delighted to bring a player of his class to the club.”
Manager – Dean Shiels
We would like to Thank Glentoran in making this move possible for Darren. Welcome to Stangmore Park, Darren. We wish you well in a Swifts shirt!
Dean Shiels has confirmed his fifth signing of the transfer window. We welcome defender, Mayowa Animasahun to Stangmore Park.
The 19 year old joins us at Stangmore Park on loan from Dundalk FC. Mayowa started out with Dundalk Schoolboys League club Glenmuir United, had a short stint at St Kevin’s Boys ahead of a three-year spell at Bohemians, before returning to his hometown club Dundalk at the start of August 2021.
New Signing – Mayowa with Manager Dean Shiels.
“Mayowa is a young player with great potential. Has strong attributes with his pace and 1v1 defending and can play at centre back or holding midfielder. He’s just coming back from a wrist injury so will take a wee bit to get up to match fitness.”
Manager Dean Shiels.
Mayowa is looking forward to getting involved at Dungannon. He played at Stangmore Park once when he was with St Kevins Boys Club in his youth days.
New Signing – Mayowa Animasahun.
“Most of my appearances last year were at centre back and a bit of midfield. I would describe myself an aggressive, strong player who likes to play off the front foot. I wanted to come to The Swifts to enjoy my football and play at a good level as well as bettering myself as a player. I am looking forward to getting started and meeting the fans.”
New signing- Mayowa Animasahun
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Mayowa. We wish you every success in a Swifts Shirt.
New signing, Michael Ruddy pictured with Dungannon Swifts Manager, Dean Shiels.
Dean Shiels has confirmed his fourth signing of the summer transfer window as defender, Michael Ruddy.
“I’m delighted to get Michael on board. He was a standout player anytime we played against him last season and he can play a number of positions. He has a great desire to defend and has good leadership qualities. He will bring so much to the squad. It’s an area we have been needing to add experience in and we are delighted to welcome him to the club.”
Manager – Dean Shiels
Newtownabbey native, Michael, began his career at Greenisland Football Club and has been on the books of Ards, Crusaders, Ballymena and most recently Portadown FC. At 28 years old, Ruddy still feels he has plenty to give in the league and comes with plenty of Irish League experience under his belt.
New signing – Michael Ruddy
“Everything happened pretty quick in regards to me joining Dungannon. Dean Shiels made contact with myself, we had a meeting and I liked everything that he was saying to me. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to come down here and see what it’s all about.
I’m pretty easy going, left back is where I’ve played most of my time but last year I was in centre midfield for a good bit and left centre half, I’ve played left wing at some stage too, so there’s quite a few options there. I’m happy to play where ever Dean wants me to play.
As I said I haven’t had much time to think since Saturday as this has all happened so fast but I want to come in and if I can help improve the team that’s what I will try and do. If we can push on and progress from last year then all will be good.”
New signing – Michael Ruddy
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Michael. We wish you every success as a Dungannon Swifts player.
