St Pat's boss Stephen O’Donnell reckons Sam Bone is one of the most underrated players in the league.
The Saints today completed the signing of the versatile midfielder turned defender from Waterford FC, and hope to land Linfield's Bastien Hery later although reports suggest Bohs could get there first.
Englishman Bone, 22, is a product of the Chalton academy and first moved to Ireland with Shamrock Rovers in 2017 before a loan move to Waterford was made permanent.
“I feel he’s ready to fulfill his potential,” said O’Donnell. “I tracked him closely at Waterford and his quality may have flown under the radar.
“He’s very versatile and first came over here as a central midfielder but has played right-back and centre-back.
“He’s a very good footballer, with two good feet and he’s a good size. He wants to improve, wants to see where his career can go and they are the characters I want.”
Last month, Bone blasted Waterford in a social media post claiming he felt left down by the Blues and was leaving with a ‘sour taste’ in his mouth.
Bone said at the time: "It was no secret how much I loved playing for this club. But sometimes you have to put your emotions aside and do what's best for you.
"A part of me wants to say a lot but I'll keep it short, I feel incredibly let down by the club and the last week or so has been extremely stressful.”
But Bone is looking forward to his stint at Richmond Park and said today: “I’m really excited after hearing Stevie’s plans and he seemed keen to get me in.
“I played against him and then played against his teams last season and I see St Pat’s as the team to improve me.”
Bone added: “I wanted to play midfield at Waterford but we hardly had any players and John Sheridan put me in at centre-back and I surprised myself with how I performed.
“St Pat’s have Robbie Benson and signed John Mountney and Ronan Coughlan, who are some of the best players in the league. I want to be fighting for medals here.”
