Glentoran FC: Oval club sign central defender Zeno Ibsen Rossi
Glentoran have bolstered their squad by completing the signings of Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Rhys Walsh on long-term contracts. Central defender Ibsen Rossi joins following his departure from Cambridge United, while winger Walsh returns to the east Belfast side after a spell with Sunderland.Ibsen Rossi, 25, came through the Brentford, Southampton and Bournemouth academies before signing his first professional deal with the latter in 2019. He made four Championship appearances in the 2021-22 season as the Cherries earned promotion back to the Premier League. Ibsen Rossi also had loan spells with Kilmarnock and Dundee before joining Cambridge in 2022. The Englishman moves to the Oval following a loan stint at League of Ireland Premier Division side Shelbourne earlier this year."I've reached a stage in my career where I want to keep pushing myself and taking on new challenges," he said. "I feel I've developed a lot over the last few years playing in England, Scotland and Ireland, and now I'm looking forward to bringing that experience here and doing everything I can to help the team be successful."Walsh, 19, came through Glentoran's academy before joining Sunderland in 2024. On his return, the Northern Ireland Under-21 international said: "So much has changed since I was last here. "The set-up is extremely professional and it's clear how much the club has progressed over the last couple of years."I've trained with the squad for most of pre-season and it's been brilliant. There are some top players here and the lads have been excellent with me from day one. It's a great group and they've made settling back in really easy."Glentoran, who have also signed midfielder Greg Sloggett this summer, finished second in the 2025-26 Irish Premiership and lost the Bet McLean Cup final to Linfield. Declan Devine's side are in European action on Thursday evening, welcoming Latvia's RFS to the Oval in Uefa Conference League qualifying (19:30 BST).
