Blues add Championship experience with Mawene loan move

Waterford FC have continued their summer recruitment drive with the signing of midfielder Noah Mawene on loan from Fleetwood Town for the remainder of the 2026 League of Ireland season.

The 21-year-old becomes the Blues’ third signing of the transfer window as head coach Graham Coughlan looks to bolster his squad for the run-in to the campaign.

Mawene arrives at the RSC with a strong pedigree, having spent eight years in the Preston North End academy system. After joining the club at under-13 level, he progressed through the ranks before earning his first professional contract in 2021.

The midfielder made his senior debut for Preston during the 2022-23 Championship season, coming off the bench in a memorable 4-1 victory over local rivals Blackburn Rovers. Although opportunities in the first team were limited initially, Mawene continued his development and became more involved in the senior set-up over the following seasons.

During the 2024-25 campaign, he made seven Championship appearances, including starts against Birmingham City and Southampton. Seeking regular first-team football, he joined Newport County on loan midway through the season and featured 16 times for the League Two outfit.

Mawene returned to Preston at the beginning of the 2025-26 season and continued to impress at under-21 level before spending a short spell on loan with Southend United. Following a permanent move to Fleetwood Town, he has now linked up with Waterford in a deal that is expected to add both quality and competition to the club’s midfield options.

Speaking after completing the move, Mawene said he was excited by the opportunity to join the Blues and was eager to contribute to the club’s ambitions for the remainder of the season.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity here at Waterford,” he said. “Everyone at the club is hungry and ambitious, so fitting in wasn’t a problem.

“There is a great buzz about Waterford, and I can’t wait to be part of it.” Coughlan believes the midfielder’s arrival will strengthen the squad significantly heading into the latter stages of the campaign.

“Noah will give us added competition in midfield for the second half of the season,” he said.

“He’ll push the players around him and will give us depth in that central midfield role. Similar to Joe and Blair who have already joined, Noah can play in a number of positions for us. He’s enthusiastic and will help us push the standards we demand from the players.” Mawene will wear the number seven shirt during his spell with the Blues and could make his first appearance in the coming weeks as Waterford look to build momentum in the second half of the season.