First signing of the Summer

We've started our business early with the signing of 19 year old centre back James Finnerty who joins the club from Aston Villa on a two year deal.

So what do we know?

* He started his career at Dublin based side Belvedere FC who he joined at 9 years old. They count amongst their former players the likes of Mark Kennedy, Wes Hoolahan and Curtis Fleming, and former Daleys Neill Byrne and John O'Sullivan.

* He has represented the Republic of Ireland all the way through from U15 to U18 level

* He signed for Villa back in 2015, and despite not making it to the first team, he made eight appearances this season in Premier League 2.

* Back in 2015, he was named as one of the 20 best youngsters to look out for in the Premier League by the Guardian.

* He had an unsuccessful trial spell at Coventry at the back end of April when it looked like he wasn't going to be kept on by Villa

* The centre half has signed a two year contract at Dale keeping him here until the Summer of 2020.

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