Shamrock Rovers F.C. has signed defender Egor Vassenin on professional terms.

Having represented Ireland at U18 level last November, Vassenin had been training with the Hoops for some time, and has now become part of the first team squad.

Shamrock Rovers thanks Pat McNally and Jamie Smith from Egor’s previous club, Klub Kildare, for their help in the player’s development and in making this signing come together today.

shamrockrovers.ie spoke with Head Coach, Stephen Bradley about the latest signing:

We’ve signed 17-year-old Egor Vassenin. What can you tell us about Egor’s path to Rovers?

“Egor is someone that Glenn Cronin and I have seen quite regularly at Klub Kildare. We have a good relationship with Klub Kildare so as a result, Egor was able to come in and train with us for the last six months and he’s been excellent. He’s someone we really like and who we think has real potential.”

Egor has already played for the Ireland under 18s in 2024. What is his usual position and playing style?

He’s a very good left-sided young defender with really good attributes and we’re delighted to have him in the group. He came away in pre-season with us and played 90 minutes in that position and did really well. He’s definitely a left back or left centre back.”

What was Egor’s footballing journey so far in terms of his schoolboy history and when did he appear on your radar?

“He was with Kilcullen AFC up to U13, before moving to Klub Kildare and, as I said, Glenn and I saw him quite regularly. We kept a close eye on him, then we got Egor in with us and he’s been excellent. We really like what Egor has and has real potential.”

Where do you see Egor fitting into the group and our playing philosophy and do you see him pushing the established players for a place in the near future?

“Egor will have a bit of everything, but as we’re midway through our season, it’ll be interesting to see where he is in terms of the group. We know and we saw it in the game in pre-season; he’d be ready to play now but with Egor’s age profile he’s one for now but also the future. It’s great to have him in the group and for him to be able to learn from our more established defenders. There’s nobody better to learn from, than these players who’ve done it for many years. So, as I said, he’s one for now but definitely one for the future of the club also.”