Wixted rejoins for third stint with Drogs

Drogheda United’s squad has risen to twelve ahead of the 2019 season with the signing of Adam Wixted from Sligo Rovers.

This will be Wixted’s third stint at the club, having first joined the Louth side on his return to Ireland from Derby County.

Wixted joined Drogheda, then managed by Damien Richardson, midway through the 2014 season, making six appearances before moving to Bohemians for the 2015 season.

He spent half a season at Bohs’ without making a league appearance before signing for Mick Cooke’s Bray Wanderers in the second half of the season.

Wixted re-joined Drogheda in 2016 following a spell at non-league O’Devaney Dunard.

He made 21 appearances, scoring three goals for the Boynesiders as they were promoted to the Premier Division through the play-offs.

He re-signed the following season as Drogheda were relegated from the Premier Division, finishing bottom of the league, and was named the club’s Player of the Year.

Wixted then made the move to Sligo Rovers for 2018 and was a regular through the season, scoring two goals, against Waterford and Bray Wanderers.

“It was a good experience in Sligo back playing full time football last season. It had its ups and downs and wasn’t the best of seasons for us though,” Wixted told extratime.ie.

The 23-year-old now returns to United Park for his third stint at the club and bolsters Tim Clancy’s attacking options, with Chris Lyons, Mark Doyle and Thomas Byrne already signed for 2019.

Wixted explained that Drogheda manager Clancy’s ambitions going forward with the club were a big part in his return to the Louth side.

“Tim got in contact with me just after the season ended and I really liked what he had to say.

“How much interest he showed in me from the start and what his ambitions were for the season and going forward with Drogheda,” Wixted said.

“I kept in contact with some of the lads off the team and they spoke highly of Tim so I’m excited for this season working with him and the team.

“There is a good group of players here and they just missed out on promotion last season and I want to help build on that,” Wixted explained.

Wixted also said the most enjoyable year in his career so far was the 2016 promotion season with Drogheda.

“I’ve had my best and most enjoyable year in football with Drogheda when we won the playoff final to get promoted and I want to get that feeling back again for the club and fans,” he said.