New Sligo signing Jordan Gibson was planning to leave his playing days in Ireland behind until Liam Buckley's intervention.
Although he enjoyed a consistent run in the St Pat's team after joining for the second half of last season, the ex-Bradford and Stevenage player had felt the lure of a cross-channel return before Buckley made contact.
Gibson, 22, said: “It’s an exciting time for me. It was quite early when the call came from the gaffer. To be honest, I did want to go back to England.
“But he really sold the club to me. I spoke to other people who played at the club and players under Liam Buckley and they all spoke very highly of him.
“I’ve spoken with him a lot about my position and I feel I’m more comfortable in central areas, whether that's number 8 in midfield, 10 behind the striker. I also enjoy coming in from the left.
“It was good to get 15 games with St Pat’s. The only thing is by the time I was really up and running, the season was basically over. Hopefully this season I can get a good amount of games and help Sligo challenge for honours and play in Europe.
“I’ve had time at home with my family and friends here in England. It is important to spend time with them when you can in this pandemic.
"I’ve had that time and I’m ready to come back to football, work hard and go places now.
“Having a manager that believes in you and wants to sign you pretty badly, which Liam Buckley did, that was a big factor in my decision.
“The last three seasons for me have been substitute appearances or a few starts here and there in League 1 and League 2 until I went to St Pat’s.
“That was the first time I had a run of starts, 10 starts, and I was just getting going and starting to score goals. Then the season was over. Having that belief from the gaffer, I have to repay that faith for a whole season now.
“I’m more than comfortable in any attacking position. Even at Bradford I played that central role in midfield where even defensively I felt I did well where it was more box-to-box. I feel I can add more goals and get assists in my games.
"But I’m more than happy to play left, right or central and wherever the gaffer wants me to play.”
Gibson is the 14th player signed by Buckley for next season.
The Bit O'Red boss intends to add another striker among other new recruits to his squad, while a number of last year's squad are still in talks to stay.
Two of the club's scholarship and academy players will also be added, as is usually the case and Buckley confirmed that pre-season training will begin later than originally planned due to the League's start being pushed back to March.
Buckley said that he had been impressed by Gibson. “There's a lot more to come from him," he said.
“Last season was the first time he had a run of games and in a full season we can see the best of Jordan Gibson.
“I think he’s a player the supporters here will appreciate and he’ll be an asset to us. Jordan is one we feel will fit into how we want to play.
“I’m looking forward to bringing him here for the start of pre-season and the opportunity will be there for him to take".
