Mata makes Sligo Rovers return months after departure

New Zealand international striker Max Mata has given Sligo Rovers a major lift on the eve of the new League of Ireland season by re-joining the club just six months after his departure.

Mata was top scorer in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division when he left for Shrewsbury Town for an undisclosed fee last August after scoring 11 goals in 23 appearances.

He scored 20 goals for the Bit O' Red in just over a season and a half, including in European ties against Bala Town and Motherwell.

The transfer to the Shrews saw Mata immediately involved in first-team action as he made 11 starts in League 1 over the six-month period, notching one goal.

However, a change of manager at Croud Meadow has seen Mata fall further out of favour, opening up the opportunity for a return to Ireland on loan until early summer.

It's a timely boost for Sligo boss John Russell.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to get Max back in. When he left he was top goalscorer in the league, and in my opinion the best centre forward in the league too.

"To get him back into the fold for start of the season is a real boost.

"Max is a modern centre-forward, he can link play, run in behind and he’s a real threat.

"He knows the environment, knows the players, knows the way we want to play, and we feel he can hit the ground running."

Mata will not be involved for Friday's opening game with Bohemians in Dalymount Park as he awaits a work permit but could feature in next week's clash with Derry City in The Showgrounds.