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Dublin Live
Entertainment
Rayana Zapryanova & Anita McSorley

Love Island surprise as League of Ireland footballer tipped to enter villa

A League of Ireland footballer is reportedly in line to enter the Love Island villa.

The ITV reality show returned to Irish TV screens last night with a fresh bunch of romance-seeking singletons in search of the summer of their lives. They joined host Maya Jama in the sunny Spanish villa as she revealed who had been paired up with who, as chosen by the public.

In a dramatic twist, just moments after the couples were formed, basketball player Zachariah Noble made his debut and was told that in 24 hours he would steal a girl. The reality show could see another shake up, with speculation that a League of Ireland footballer may be about to enter the villa.

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It’s reported that the player, who is in his early 20s and doesn’t hail from Ireland, recently stepped away from his current club.

According to Independent.ie, teammates of the football star learned he has opted to pursue the opportunity, with his club understanding his desire to enter the show that can have life-changing potential for contestants.

Identities of potential Love Island contestants are kept top secret until the last minute.

This comes after host Maya confirmed a double twist to start off the series, with a show first too. Speaking on Good Morning Britain this week, she teased the shock twist, saying: "A very big surprise is that the public has all the power.

"For the first episode, you guys are going to decide who couples up. You vote and then we listen. It's a big decision to make, as soon as you see them."

For the first time ever, both boys and girls entered the villa as Ruchee Gurung and Jess Harding were joined by Mitchell Taylor, Ella and Andre Furtado. They got to know each other in one of the show's most flirtatious first episodes ever.

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Maya also issued a warning to the latest batch of Love Islanders, telling them: “Don’t fall in love on the first day.” The presenter said her advice would be to play the field.

Speaking to Mirror UK, she said: “When they lock themselves up right away, I’m like, ‘No, you’ve got so much time, know everybody’. “Don’t fall in love on the first day. But if you do, fantastic, you might just end up making it to the end.

“Me, personally, I wouldn’t lock down with somebody on the first day. I would keep my options open.”

Love Island airs all this week at 9pm on Virgin Media Two and the Virgin Media Player.

Who do you think the League of Ireland player might be? Let us know in the comments below.

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