Drogheda United are excited to announce the signing of midfielder Darragh Nugent on a season-long loan from Shamrock Rovers.

The 20-year-old joined Rovers in 2019 from UCD and in his debut season for the Hoops, played for their U19 side that won the Enda McGuill Cup, while also featuring in the matchday squad for the senior team on a number of occasions.

The 2020 season saw Nugent be a regular in midfield for the Shamrock Rovers II side in the First Division while also making his first three appearances for Rovers first team in the Premier Division and FAI Cup.

His debut came in a 2-0 win away to Finn Harps in November 2020 while he was also on the bench for the FAI Cup Final against Dundalk.

Nugent was regularly involved in the Rovers matchday squad in 2021 and made four appearances in wins over Derry, Harps and Waterford (twice).

Nugent joined Longford Town on loan in July for the rest of the season and went on to make fifteen appearances before the season ended. 

His debut for Longford came in the 1-1 draw at Bishopsgate against Drogheda, with his first senior goal coming in a 5-0 FAI Cup win over Bangor GG.

“I knew Daire from last year at Longford. I spoke with Kevin and he’d been chatting with Daire, and Kev said he’d really like to get me in so I was delighted to join on loan. I’m looking forward to getting going.

“It (Longford loan) was my first real run of games in the Premier Division, and first real experience of playing regularly. I think it benefited me hugely and I got the game time I needed. Hopefully now I can kick on again next year and get more.

“The more games I get at this age the better. I’m just looking forward to getting in, getting to work straight away and getting more games under my belt and see where it takes me,” Nugent explained.