New signing Ryan Sweeney can’t wait to partner Deji Oshilaja for the third time at Mansfield Town
Returning Mansfield Town defender Ryan Sweeney can't wait to renew his central defensive partnership with Deji Oshilaja as the pair team up for a third time.
Sweeney, 28, played for Mansfield between 2018-2021 and returned to the One Call Stadium this week after turning down a new contract at Burton Albion to become the Stags' first summer signing.
But he has plenty of experience of playing with Stags' Player of the Year Oshilaja, having been with him on his AFC Wimbledon debut and then also at Burton.
“I think this is the third club I have been at with Deji and it will be fantastic to play with him again,” said Sweeney.
“I actually made my professional debut with him and it will be brilliant to get back with him.
“He is someone I am friends with on and off the pitch and someone I rate really highly.
“We were the two centre halves at Wimbledon and he was brilliant to play with.
“He is not the tallest, but his willingness and aggression to go after things and win things probably makes up for that.
“Deji is probably a bit quicker than me you would say and when you have played at the level he has it is good for someone like me to play alongside him.
“I am aware he had a really good season here last year in his first year, which is not surprising at all.”
It certainly won't be a dressing room of strangers for Sweeney.
“George Maris, Macca (Stephen McLaughlin) and Jordan Bowery who I knew from before are still here as well as a few people behind the scenes I know as well,” he said.
Captain at the Pirelli Stadium, Sweeney won both the Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards for his superb displays in 2024/25.