Highly-rated Northern Ireland Under-19 star Sam Glenfield has sealed a permanent move to League of Ireland side Waterford after an initial shining loan spell with the Blues.
The all-action midfielder, who spent the second-half of the 2024 season at the RSC after linking up on a temporary basis from English League Two outfit Fleetwood Town, will remain part of Keith Long’s panel for good after agreeing a multi-year deal.
Glenfield, a product of Portadown’s ranks who made his Irish League debut for the Shamrock Park side aged just 15 in October 2020, earned a move across the water to Fleetwood in 2022 and made a handful of first-team appearances for the Fishermen prior to his switch to Waterford in July 2024.
The gifted 19-year-old’s box-to-box style quickly made him a fans’ favourite and, after featuring 10 times and scoring twice as Waterford finished seventh place to survive their first season back in the Premier Division, he expressed his delight at committing his future to the Munster club on a longer-term basis.
“I had a great time at Waterford in the summer and I’m happy to have signed a new contract,” Glenfield, who has seven Northern Ireland Under-19 caps to date, told Waterford club media.
“I think we can continue where we left off last season.
“The gaffer and his backroom team trusted me last year and I’m looking to repay them by hitting the ground running.
“Last year, the fans were amazing, and I’m looking forward to seeing them again and getting back out on the pitch with the lads.”
Manager Long was also glad to snap up Glenfield permanently, with eye-catching strikes in separate clashes versus Bohemians ranking at the top of his 2024 highlight reel.
“We’re delighted to secure the permanent signing of Sam Glenfield,” he said.
“Sam is a player who is an extremely important member of our squad – a player who we really only saw a snapshot of what he can really be last year.
“Sam’s still just 19 years of age but is someone who has plenty to offer for us, and I’m looking forward to working with him next year.”