Marc Ludden extends Galway stay until end of 2020 campaign

Galway United have announced the re-signing of experienced left back Marc Ludden ahead of the 2020 League of Ireland season.

Next year will see the 29 year old line out for his hometown club for a seventh season.

The Corofin native began his League of Ireland career with Mervue United in 2009 before signing for the newly formed Galway FC for the 2014 season and the defender has gone on to make 167 appearances for the club since then.

Ludden made 27 appearances for the club in 2019 scoring 5 goals, with 4 of those goals being scored during a 7-1 drubbing of Cobh Ramblers at Eamonn Deacy Park.

“I’m very happy to be signing back with the club, there was nowhere else that I wanted to play my football. The target in 2020 is to get Galway United back into the Premier Division,” Ludden said speaking to the club’s website.

“Last year was always about bringing through young players and developing them. Alan signed a few experienced players in Stephen Christopher, Killian Brouder and Jack Lynch and they added a bit more balance to the side.

“I think towards the end of the season it was very enjoyable for everyone. The football was good on the pitch, our fans were coming back and we had a decent run in the FAI Cup too.

“I would’ve loved 12 or 15 more games to see where we could’ve gone last season, I really didn’t want it to end.

“Playing against Cork City and Shamrock Rovers in the Cup really gave us a taste of Premier Division football and that’s where you want to be at, competing against the best and seeing where you stand. The First Division is a competitive league, but hopefully if we sign well, we can get back to playing against the best teams in the country again.”

Ludden is Alan Murphy’s second signing in recent days with Conor Barry committing to The Tribesmen earlier this week.