Dundalk continues it recruitment drive with the arrival of three more loanees

Dundalk FC have put the finishing touches on their squad for the 2023 season with the arrival of three new additions to Oriel Park this week.

Head Coach Stephen O'Donnell has been creative in the transfer window this year, given Irish recruits have been hard to come by, and again scoured the continent in search of talent. And it has led to Johannes Yli-Kokko, Wasiri Williams and Rayhaan Tulloch all joining the club on loan.

First up was Yli-Kokko, who comes to Ireland from Finnish champions HJK Helsinki. The attacking midfielder made 17 Veikkausliiga appearances during HJK’s title-winning campaign last year, scoring once and providing four assists.

He also made four appearances in Europe, coming on as a substitute in both legs of HJK’s UEFA Champions League second qualifying round defeat to Viktoria Plzeň and their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round win over Maribor.

“Technically, Johannes is a very good, creative player with good energy. He’ll give us added quality coming off the sides and in the attacking areas of midfield,” stated O’Donnell.

“He has lots of pedigree and I’m looking forward to working with him. He’s mature for his age and he’s looking forward to getting started. It’s a great opportunity for him to gain experience in a different country which was something he was very eager to do."

Next to be announced was the arrival of Wasiri Williams, an exciting young defender who is currently on the books of Championship side Swansea City.

Born in Croydon, 'Waz' joined the Swans in July 2022 after spending four years in the English non-league system where he played with Ashford United, Tunbridge Wells, Sheppey United, Hatcham FC, Braintree Town and Corinthian Casuals.

The 22-year-old has been a regular for Swansea City’s U21 team this season, skippering the side on multiple occasions, and he also chipped in with three goals, including a brace against Cardiff City in the Welsh Derby.

“I was with my family on Saturday when my agent called me about the opportunity and it was a quick transition,” Williams told dundalkfc.com.

“I wanted to come here and play, Swansea wanted me to come here and play, so it was a thumbs up all around.

“I’m an aggressive centre-back who loves to tackle but I also like to play which is something I can hopefully bring to the team.”

Finally, just hours before the Irish transfer window closed came the news the Lilywhites had secured the services of English youth international Rayhaan Tulloch from West Brom on another loan deal, subject to international clearance.

A native of Birmingham, the 22-year-old attacker joined the Baggies at the age of nine and progressed through the ranks at the Hawthorns. He made his first-team debut for the club in an FA Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2019.

In September 2020, he had a brief loan spell at League One club Doncaster Rovers and he also had a period on loan at Rochdale earlier in the English season where he made 14 appearances in all competitions for the League Two outfit.

“I’m delighted to get Rayhaan on board,” exclaimed O’Donnell when speaking about the signing via the club website.

“He will give us another option in the attacking areas, off the wing or in the number 10 position, and he can make a difference in the final third.

“He’s a player with a lot of talent and it’s up to us now to get the best out of that ability. We will make the environment he’s coming into as comfortable as possible to give him a platform to thrive."