Danté Leverock said it will be an honour to play for Sligo Rovers after signing for the top-flight Irish club.

The Bermuda defender has agreed a one-year deal with Sligo yesterday, a day after it was announced he had left top-flight Estonian outfit Narva Trans.

Leverock, who made 34 appearances and scored eight goals for Narva Trans last season, is now awaiting international clearance.

“It’s an honour to sign for Sligo Rovers,” Leverock said. “I’d heard about the club from former player Ciaran Nugent, who I know from the [Harrisburg City] Islanders, and Jake Keegan, too, who plays for St Patrick’s.

“I’ve done my research on Sligo and I see the community aspect of the club, that there’s a family within the club, and that really attracted me to here.

“It’s important for me to be part of a close-knit group, and I see football is very popular in Sligo.

“I’ve worked very hard to make it as a professional and I’ve just had a very good experience in Estonia. I think I did well and at the international level, it has been positive, too.”

The 26-year-old said playing for Sligo was an opportunity he could not turn down.

“When I spoke to Liam Buckley [the manager], I really couldn’t pass up the chance to come and play for him and this club,” added Leverock, who has captained Bermuda in their previous two outings in the Concacaf Nations League qualifiers.

“He told me of how he wants Rovers to improve and I think he can help me grow as a player. He explained there will be tough competition but that’s something I thrive on and it makes us all better players. I really look forward to meeting the management, the players and fans of Sligo Rovers. We will aim for a very good season.”

Buckley is convinced Leverock will help to bring “balance” to the team, who are seventh in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

“Danté emerged as a possible signing and we took a good look at him and thought he had something to offer,” he said. “He’s a good, big centre half and while his goal record might stand out, he’s a defender so clean sheets are his target.

“He’s got a good background of experience in English non-League and he’s coming with the knowledge of playing abroad and international level.

That’s useful, as we have a lot of youth in our squad and we need a balance.

“He’s hungry to make as good a career as he can for himself and this is another step forward for him.”

Leverock is the second Bermudian to play in the Irish top flight, with goalkeeper Freddy Hall spending three years at Limerick.