Limerick Native Sam Warde Signs for Portadown

Limerick born Sam Warde has been unveiled as a Portadown player on Thursday evening. Portadown are currently 10th in the NIFL Premiership table and announced the news on the club’s official Twitter page. Warde has signed an 18 month deal with the club following his departure from Galway in December.

Former Dundalk player and current Portadown manager Mathhew Tipton was clearly delighted to secure the services of a player who they have been monitoring for the last two years.

“I’m delighted to get Sam into the club. He comes with a very good pedigree after starting his career at Huddersfield before a year at Colchester & the last few years playing for Sligo & Galway. Sam is someone we had seen playing a couple of years ago & kept tabs on.

We are now looking forward to seeing him in action for us. Sam is predominantly a defensive midfielder who breaks up the play superbly & adds to that with a great range of passing.”

Warde began his career with local Limerick outfit Mungret Regional before moving to England to join current championship club Huddersfield Town at the age of 15. Following a short stint at Colchester United, Sam returned to Ireland to join Airtricity League Premier Division outfit Sligo Rovers.

At the beginning of 2020, the 22 year-old joined Sligo’s Connacht rivals Galway United and was a key figure in the team’s rise under manager John Caulfield following a poor start under former manager Alan Murphy. The club missed out on promotion in the promotion/relegation play-off semi-final.

The Limerick native is happy to gain a fresh start and is eagerly anticipating the new challenge.

“I’m very happy, excited to be moving up and can’t wait to get started. I am a technical player, and like to get on the ball and pass it around and hopefully get a few goals too.”