Republic of Ireland under-21 Aaron Drinan returns to Ipswich Town following Waterford loan spell

Waterford have confirmed that Ireland under-21 striker Aaron Drinan has returned to parent club Ipswich Town following the conclusion of his loan.

The Blues had been hopeful of keeping their top scorer at the RSC for the rest of the season but that possibility now looks remote.

Cork native Drinan, who joined Ipswich from Waterford in January 2018, scored seven goals in 18 league appearances for Alan Reynolds’ side.

The 21-year-old, who has featured on the bench for Ipswich five times, is currently away with the Irish under-21s at the Toulon Tournament, in which he’s featured three times from the bench.

“Following the conclusion of the Toulon Tournament, Aaron Drinan will now report back to his parent club, Ipswich Town,” said a statement issued by the club on social media.

“Waterford FC would like to thank Aaron for his hard work since joining in Feb. Aaron scored 7 league goals during his loan spell.”

Reynolds had earlier expressed his eagerness to extend Drinan’s loan or even make the move permanent, but the loss of European football has changed the club’s priorities.

 

Loanees Scott Twine and Hugo Keto have returned to Swindon Town and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively, while defender Aaron Simpson was released from his contract.



“I’d love to [get him in permanently], but he has to go back to Ipswich and see what happens there,” the manager told extratime.ie back in May.

“I’m sure he has ambitions of playing higher but I can definitely see this loan is helping him. We’ll see what happens.”

    About Dave Donnelly

    Drogheda is in Meath. View Full Profile