Malike Hill Benrouguibi joins Wexford

Wexford have signed attacking midfielder Malike Hill Benrouguibi ahead of the 2020 SSE Airtricity League First Division season.

Benrouguibi, who most recently played for Bluebell United in the Leinster Senior League’s Top division does have some previous League of Ireland experience.

The 22-year-old first joined Bohemians’ under 19s in 2014 before playing for Longford Town in 2015 and 2016 before beginning to ply his trade in the Leinster Senior League.

Moments after the announcement Wexford’s newest acquisition explained how the influence of Wexford Coach Mokhtar Addani and the location of his home helped him decide to join Wexford.

“Mokhtar Addani who has coached with Wexford FC first got in touch with me and asked if I was interested in getting back to playing League of Ireland football.

“I'm living in Wicklow right now, so Wexford is ideal for me plus I know a good few of the lads that have signed already,” Benrouguibi told wexfordfc.ie.

The midfielder joins while already knowing some other members of the squad who he’s played with domestically and on the international stage.

“I played with Dan Tobin before with Ireland and I've also played with Cian Kavanagh, top quality players, so it all seemed to work out.

“Delighted to sign and can't wait to get started now, I just want to push on and try help the team as much as I can and hopefully, we can go on to have a very good season."

Wexford face Shelbourne in their first pre-season friendly of 2020 in the AUL on Saturday where the likes of Tom Murphy, Conor Crowley and Karl Fitzsimons will join Benrouguibi in playing their first minutes for Brian O’Sullivan’s side.