Waterford director of football Pat Fenlon has confirmed Town are close to signing 19-year-old striker Aaron Drinan, as TWTD revealed on Sunday. Fenlon also says another frontman John Martin, who like Drinan spent time on trial with the Blues in August, could join his Waterford team-mate at Portman Road.

As reported on Sunday, a deal which will see Drinan sign for the Blues has been agreed and is set to be formalised in the next couple of days with Town understood to be paying Waterford €100,000 (£90,000).

The former Cork City youngster wouldn’t be able to play for the Blues at any level in a competitive game until after the transfer window opens in January.

“He is a raw talent with a lot of potential. He is a strong, aggressive, quick striker who can play in a number of positions,” Fenlon told the Irish Sun regarding Drinan.

“John has been over once already and they want another look so we’ll see, but we are much further along the road with Aaron so it should happen in the next day or two.”

Drinan, who has won caps with the Republic of Ireland’s home-based U19s side, joined Waterford from Cork City’s youth set-up in August and subsequently made four starts and one sub appearance, scoring once, as the Munster club carried off the League of Ireland First Division title and won promotion to the Premier Division.

Primarily a central striker but also operating on either the left or the right, Drinan played youth football with Cobh Ramblers and Carrigaline United prior to his time at Cork, who allowed him to move on without giving him a chance in their first team.

Martin, also a frontman, who scored four goals in 13 starts and two sub appearances as Waterford won the league title.

The 18-year-old, who was previously with Belvedere and St Patrick’s Athletic, was unable to link-up with the Blues for a second trial this week as he has been involved with the Republic of Ireland U19s, having previously won caps at U18s level.

Boss Mick McCarthy previously recruited former Blues striker Daryl Murphy from Waterford when Sunderland boss back in 2005, beating Town to the future Ireland international’s signature.

In the summer of 2013 he signed another Waterford youngster Jack Doherty for Town but the winger returned to Ireland the following year without breaking into the senior side. Former Blues Stephen and Noel Hunt also hail from the city in south-east Ireland.

Meanwhile, ex-Town striker Leon Best, 31, is reported to be training with League One Charlton Athletic.

The ex-Ireland international left Portman Road during the second half of last season having dropped out of manager Mick McCarthy's plans having signed after a trial in August 2016. He made six starts and six sub appearances without scoring.

Photo: TWTD

hoppy added 17:39 - Oct 11 Interesting to see where these lads are seen fitting in the squad - and whether there is any future for Kieffer Moore, however well his loan spell is going at the moment. Does it also mean that Freddie Sears could be seen as one to move on? Waghorn, Garner, McGoldrick are seen as our main striker options, aren't they?
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JohnyJohnson added 17:43 - Oct 11 “He is a raw talent with a lot of potential. He is a strong, aggressive, quick striker who can play in a number of positions,” Bogof done then! Good luck to them.
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ericclacton added 18:34 - Oct 11 Mr Taffy Evans can pay for them out of the refund from Suffolk police.
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12th_Man added 19:38 - Oct 11 At least they can keep each other company and hopefully won't be home sick
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hampstead_blue added 09:22 - Oct 12 Can't see any downside in this. It seems as if MM's good handling of this relationship over the years has put us in a good position. Clubs like Waterford will recommend to young players, and more importantly parents which clubs to go to. If we are seen as a good place for young talent we can't lose. Even if only 1 in 5 work out, what have we lost? Nowt. It's a total win/win/win.... Well done MM.

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