Shelbourne goalkeeper Scott Van-der-Sluis has left the club to participate in ITV reality show Love Island.

Appearing for the first time on the show on Wednesday night's episode, the 22-year-old was granted an early release from his League of Ireland contract after requesting to take a break from his professional career.

Van-der-Sluis made his Shelbourne debut in the FAI Cup clash away to Bonagee United last year, where he kept a clean sheet in a comfortable 4-0 victory. He made just two appearances this season, in the Leinster Senior Cup, and three in total since signing for the Reds in the summer of 2022.

Shelbourne FC can confirm Scott van-der-Sluis has left the club.

We'd like to wish Scott all the best for the future.

📲 | https://t.co/DFsFslt2iX#DublinsFinest | #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/e2t8cNbo5f

— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) June 15, 2023

Damien Duff, ex Ireland international and Shelbourne FC manager said in a statement regarding the goalie's move that he was "shocked and saddened that Scott chose a villa in Mallorca full of beautiful, single women over myself, the staff and the players.”

“All jokes aside, I thank Scott for his services to Shelbourne FC and we all wish him the very best for the future, whatever that holds,” Duff continued.

Van-der-Sluis said in a statement about his departure that he has loved his time with Shelbourne, saying "Shels is my club, I’ll be cheering on the lads as a fan when I leave the villa."

The goalie went on to explain his departure, saying "football is all I’ve ever done, all I’ve ever known. So this is a new and exciting opportunity for a change-up in life."

 

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The Welsh native has now joined the other Love Island contestants including Dublin real estate agent Catherine Agbaje, already established in the villa as one of the original contestants.

Asked why other contestants might pick him on the show last night, Van-der-Sluis described himself as "tall, dark, handsome and I'm a goalkeeper, so I’m good with my hands!"

He says that he has been single for three-and-a-half years, and in classic Love Island fashion Van-der-Sluis sold himself as a winning contestant, saying "I’ll bring a bit of banter, be cheeky, and I’m a flirt! I’ve a very, very strong personality so if I see anything I don’t agree with, there’ll definitely be fireworks!”

Love Island continues on Virgin Media TWO tonight at 9pm.