Mark Isong

Wanderers have strengthened their B Team ranks with the signing of promising young forward Mark Isong from League of Ireland leaders Shelbourne.

The Republic of Ireland youth international has joined the Whites from the Dublin-based club on an initial two-year-deal for an undisclosed fee.

Isong started his career in the youth set-up with Bohemians before switching to Premier Division rivals Shelbourne a couple of seasons ago.

A technically strong, pacy player who can operate in a number of different forward positions, Isong made his senior league debut for Shelbourne – managed by ex-Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham winger Damien Duff – as a late substitute in a 2-1 league loss at Sligo Rovers earlier this month following a couple of appearances in the Leinster Senior Cup.

The Dublin-born 18-year-old will now get the chance to continue his on-going development in a full-time environment as part of the young player pathway being forged by the Whites through their B Team set-up.

After impressing in training last week, Isong secured a move to the Toughsheet Community Stadium and after signing on the dotted line ahead of last Friday's deadline is relishing the prospect of starting his Whites’ career under the guidance of B Team boss Andy Taylor.

“It's a great opportunity,” said Isong. “I'm absolutely thrilled to be here. This is an historic club. I've seen them play before and I know the level of support is brilliant. I'm really happy to be here and can't wait to get started.

“My time at Shels has been very good. The managers I've been under have been very helpful in developing my career and the coaches in the Academy have done really well for me as well.

“It's been really good for me there. Since I was a kid I've always wanted to come to England and progress my career and I feel this is the next step and I can't wait to get started.

“I've met a few players from the B team already. They've been really nice and helped me settle in I'm just really excited to be starting out with the B Team and doing my best here.”

The latest addition to the B Team squad comes as Wanderers continue to increase their links with Irish football in terms of identifying potential talent and gaining loan opportunities for their own young players.

Isong arrives as another young player with a chance to progress his career with the Whites as a third summer signing for the B Team, following defender Ajay Weston and attacking midfielder Dubem Eze.