Devonn Returns To Butlin Road

Rugby Town are pleased to welcome back midfielder Devonn O'Sullivan w ho has agreed terms to re-join.

The 19-year-old midfielder returns to Butlin Road having previously featured for the club during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on dual registration from Stratford Town.

A product of Stratford's youth system, O'Sullivan broke into the first-team squad as a 16-year-old and found the net against Leamington in the Southern League Premier Central in a Boxing Day derby.

Following a trial with Coventry City at the end of the 2023/24 season, he returned to Stratford before gaining further experience with Pershore Town, Highgate United and Quorn.

Most recently last season, Devonn played most of the season with Valley's NPL Midlands rivals Coventry Sphinx before finishing the season at Hinckley.

Manager Grant Joshua believes O'Sullivan has all the attributes to develop into an important player for the club: "Devonn is someone I’m really looking forward to working with personally.

"I think we can polish him up to be a very good signing for us in the immediate short term and over the next few years at the football club.

"He’s a young local lad who made it very clear he wanted to come here, which is music to any manager's ears. Dev has clear attributes that you would want from a central midfield player and I think he’ll thrive in the environment we’re creating with a few experienced boys around him."

Joshua feels stability could be key to helping the midfielder fulfil his potential:"He’s an exciting talent for sure who we have to look after.

"Another one who probably needs to be somewhere for a longer period of time to really see the best of him and that’s the plan.

"He’ll be given his head and then it’s up to him to really showcase his abilities."

The Town boss also revealed the club attempted to bring O'Sullivan in last summer. “We tried to do a deal for him last season when someone recommended him to me, but he’d already agreed to sign for Coventry Sphinx.

"John [Woodward] got the best out of him and he started the season excellently. We’re looking forward to carrying on that development."