Waterford FC are thrilled to announce that exciting-striker Sam Bellis has put pen to paper to become the Blues’ first signing of the summer window.
Bellis, a 21-year-old centre-forward from England, came up through the Manchester City FC academy, before moving South to join the academy at Southampton FC where he spent four years playing with their U18, U21 & B team – scoring 14 goals in 49 games across the three age-groups.
In the summer of 2023, Bellis joined EFL League Two side Barrow AFC on a permanent transfer from Southampton, before heading out on loan to National League North side Kidderminster Harriers FC for the second-half of the 2023/24 season.
Bellis makes the move to the RSC for the remainder of the 2024 League of Ireland campaign, adding to the attacking options in Keith Long’s squad alongside Padraig Amond & Gbemi Arubi.
Speaking on getting his first new signing of the summer in Bellis, Keith Long said:
“Sam is a striker who offers us something different to what we have currently at the club. His football education has seen him work at Manchester City & Southampton’s academies respectively, so he’s an intelligent footballer with good game IQ, soft feet and an eye for goal. It will take Sam a couple of weeks to get fully up to speed physically and we are looking forward to the impact he can make to the team.”
Sam also spoke to our club media, commenting on how excited he was to get going at the club:
“I can’t wait to get going now. I’ve been in training with the lads for the past week, so I’ve been getting to know my surroundings. It’s been great so far. Obviously I didn’t know much about the league before coming here – I know Rowan McDonald for quite a while, so he’s told me about it, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the standard over here.
I watched the game up in Dundalk on Friday – it was a good standard, and the boys got a good result on a pitch that didn’t allow them to play the football they wanted, so to see them get the three points was great.
I’m an in-and-around the box-type forward – that’s where I come alive. I want to create chances for others & take opportunities for myself. I want to get on the end of as much as I can – to be a nuisance in the box.”
Bellis will wear the number 20 shirt for the Blues, with both his shirts now available for sponsorship. Contact commercial@waterfordfc.ie to find out more information.
Welcome to the Blues, Sam!
