Nathan Rooney confident Larne youngster 'can go so far within the game' after signing Inver Reds contract extension

Sloan progressed through the club’s scholarship programme before developing into a senior star, handed his first team debut by Tiernan Lynch against Coleraine in the closing stages of the 2021/22 season.

The 20-year-old made 27 Premiership appearances last term as Larne successfully defended their Gibson Cup crown and has played 13 times in the league so far during the current campaign, scoring in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Crusaders at Seaview.

Sloan played a big part in the club’s historic UEFA Conference League campaign, starting in both legs of their play-off qualifier against Lincoln Red Imps while he also featured from the beginning in League Phase clashes with Molde, Shamrock Rovers, St Gallen and Olimpia Ljubljana.

He has previously been linked with moves across the water but becomes the latest player to commit his future to Larne after the likes of Tomas Cosgrove, Aaron Donnelly and Mark Randall.

“Dylan is a fantastic talent who can go so far within the game,” said Rooney. “He has been a key member of the first team squad at Inver for the best part of two seasons now, and it’s easy to forget just how young he is – his entire career remains ahead of him and his performance against Crusaders on Tuesday night was a showcase of the quality he possesses.

“We want to be a football club that is able to bring young players into an environment which, with the right level of attitude and commitment, will allow them to flourish and forge careers in the professional game – winning trophies and playing on the European stage.

"Dylan is an excellent example of how this can happen, and I’m sure all of our supporters are excited to see his continued development with us.”

Sloan added: “I’m so happy to become the latest player within the group to commit my future to the club and look forward to continuing what has been a whirlwind journey for me during my time at Inver.

“When I joined at the age of 16, I had big ambitions to make it into professional football and I’ve achieved that alongside making so many unbelievable memories in terms of winning trophies and playing in Europe – but I still feel that I’m only getting started and have so much more to achieve within the game, and I want that to be with Larne so I’m delighted to extend.”