Dundalk re-sign Patrick McEleney from Oldham Athletic

Dundalk have re-signed midfielder Patrick McEleney from Oldham Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

The Derryman has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Lilywhites after negotiating his release from the troubled English League Two outfit.

25-year-old McEleney joined Oldham in January after two successful years at Oriel Park and went on to make nine appearances, scoring once, as the Latics were relegated to the fourth tier.

He received offers from Shamrock Rovers and former club Derry City but opted to return to the club with whom he won a Premier Division title in 2016.

“I am buzzing to finally get the deal done,” McEleney told the club’s official website.

“It was a long process but it’s great to be back at the club. I am happy to be back here and I enjoyed my first spell here so to be back is great.

“I can’t wait just to get back playing for the side again. I have been keeping an eye on things since I left and they are going well here. Hopefully I can add to that.”

He added: “I am looking forward to being back part of it and Europe is around the corner which is exciting.

“It is crazy for an Irish club to be thinking they can go far in Europe but we’ve done it before and we want to do it again.

“It’s a good place to be and hopefully I can help bring the league title back to Dundalk and win everything.“