Sligo Rovers and Glentoran have agreed terms for the transfer of defender Patrick McClean, who will join the club on July 1st subject to international clearance.
It’s a Rovers return for the 28-year-old who made 27 league appearances for the Bit O’Red in 2018, scoring once.
The defender joins on an 18 month contract, and is the second summer signing to be announced this week after the signing of Seb Quirk.
McClean started his League of Ireland career with Derry City, before going on to play for Waterford prior to joining Rovers.
He joined his hometown club Derry City in 2019 after departing the Bit O’Red, going to join NIFL Premiership side Glentoran in the summer of 2019.
McClean announced his shock retirement from football in February 2023 at the age of 26, but made a return five months later.
The Derry native is primarily a centre-back but can also operate at left-back.
Speaking about the decision to re-join Sligo Rovers, McClean said his previous spell at the Bit O’Red played a part in his decision to return.
He told sligorovers.com: “It happened quite quickly, really. I spoke to John about a month ago on the phone and he said he was interested and I took some time to think about it after everything.
“With leaving Glentoran, I didn’t know where I was going to be, and I think my mind was sort of made up as soon as John rang me and talked me through his plans. I was delighted to get it done then.
“I loved my time here previously. I always say I wish I never left Sligo, because I really enjoyed my first spell here.
“I think when I was here before, I had a good season myself, but it was like a roller coaster of a season. We were up and down and we didn’t do too well, but I just feel like, obviously the club is looking to kick on after a tough start and, you know, I’m just looking to come in and help as much as I can.”
McClean will yet again link-up with centre-back John Mahon, with the duo forming a partnership at the back of the Rovers defence in 2018.
“Me and John played together a good few times. I think me and him did well together in a lot of games. Some big results, so hopefully we can do that again.”
Rovers moved off bottom spot in the Premier Division table last Saturday thanks to that 1-0 win over Waterford at The Showgrounds.
And McClean says he wants to help bring Rovers back to where they belong, starting with helping Rovers move away from the bottom end of the table.
“Everybody wants to go on, win trophies and whatever, but I think at the minute, it’s just important to get a run together and obviously stay in this division and then just see what the future holds.
“All I can do is come in and work as hard as I can to help the team. I don’t want to put any pressure on myself or anyone else.
“But I feel like this club is definitely underachieving at the minute, and, you know, Sligo Rovers from whenever I was growing up were challenging and winning things and I would love to see it back there. “
Coming into a squad in the middle of the season doesn’t daunt McClean in the slightest, and he is more than happy to fight for his place in the team.
“There’s obviously a group of lads that are talented and results just probably haven’t been going their way, but I know I’m coming here to do a job and I would love to strike connections along the way and have a good relationship with people, but I think the ultimate goal is to go get three points.”
McClean will not be eligible for Rovers until July 1st, and the first game he will be available for will be Rovers’ meeting with Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds on Saturday, July 5th.
Having missed a chunk of the NIFL Premiership season through injury, McClean says he’s worked hard to get back to full fitness, keeping himself fit throughout the off-season.
“I’ve just been doing a lot of running but I just can’t wait to get a ball at my feet again.
“I don’t like sitting about for too long. I probably take a week off if anything. And I’m always doing something, so there’s no problem staying fit.”
Jessica Farry