Robbie Benson makes switch to Saints after departing Dundalk

St Patrick’s Athletic have continued their off-season recruitment drive with the signing of former Dundalk midfielder Robbie Benson.

Benson revealed on Monday evening that he played his final game for the Lilywhites, ending a trophy-laden stint at Oriel Park.

Linking up with former teammate Stephen O’Donnell, Benson revealed his delight upon joining the Saints ahead of the 2020 Premier Division campaign.

“I'm happy with the move and I am looking forward to the next stage in my career,” the 27-year-old told the Saints media team.  

“Stephen got onto me and informed me of what he was setting out to do at the club and it seemed like the right fit for me and a chance to seek a new challenge.

“I know Stephen and have great respect for him, so it was easy for me to make the jump and join Pat's.

"Stephen is a person who was a great teammate, captain, person and mentor to me in my time at Dundalk.

“He now has a good platform to put his stamp on things, and that married with a club the stature of St Pat's, it's a great platform for Stephen.

“He can bring success back to St Pat's and hopefully I can play a small part in helping in that.”

The Athletic’s Head Coach O’Donnell added; “I'm delighted to acquire a player of Robbie's calibre.

“I think he is one of the best players in the league and it's huge for Pat's to have a player like that in the prime of his career in our ranks now.

“He's a player I know well having played with him at Dundalk, and I look forward to working with him and I think it's a big statement from the club ahead of next season.

"We signed Jay McClelland last week from UCD and he is another one with a good profile as a young player with a lot of talent.

“For someone like him, we'll be looking for Robbie to lead by example, and be a leader in the dressing room that younger players can to look up to.”

The former Dundalk midfielder finished; “We'll be looking to add further signings over the coming weeks, but we know it is important to sign quality over quantity.

“We are not going to sign players for the sake of it. We are going to sign the right players for St Pat's and we are going to do our due diligence on every player that comes through the door.”