Rotherham United signing Kieran Sadlier a 'no-brainer' as wing options excited manager Paul Warne

Sadlier is the second signing the Millers have made since winning promotion to the Championship, along with Mickel Miller. And with Chiedozie Ogbene already on the books, Warne is looking forward to the three doing battle.

He certainly has no doubts about Sadlier's quality, having seen plenty of the 25-year-old at close hand last season, when he was Doncaster's 11-goal top-scorer, creating another six. But Warne was squally impressed by what he heard in Rotherham's interview process.

“I think he was one of the outstanding players in the league,” said Warne. “Wingers are a dying breed with the way we want to play so he's always been on my radar.

“I watched Doncaster live more than any other club last year, it helps that I live five minutes from the ground but I did watch him no end.

“He can play with both feet, as a 10 and on either wing. He's at a good age and a good kid. He had to go through our interviewing process which is something like 'SAS Who Dares Wins' and he got through that okay.

“His player profile and personality checks all came through and fundamentally he wanted to come here, which is obviously a great point.

“You want to sign players who want to come here, they know how hard it is here.

“Everything worked out perfectly, this time last year we had no wingers, this time we have three excellent wingers.

“They can fight among themselves and they'll share the game time equally. It was a no brainer for us and we're delighted to get it over the line.”

The Haywards Heath-born Republic of Ireland international spent time in Cambridge United and West Ham United's youth set-ups without appearing for the first team. His career took off when he moved across the Irish Sea, scoring prolifically for Cork City and Sligo Rovers.

That earned him his move to the Keepmoat Stadium, where he spent two years before his deal expired this summer.

That background, and Sadlier's character, impressed Warne.

“He's got a bit of a colourful background, he was at Peterborough but didn't play, then took himself off to Ireland played for a couple of years and then came back here,” he commented.

“He performed for a really good Doncaster team and really showcased himself, so I knew he had a good character trait.

“In conversation, some players nod politely, some ask questions and some interrogate you back. He was a little bit of all, he had a bit of confidence which you need to have here and the confidence to play. Once we met him we did everything we could to get it over the line.”

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