Rhys Marshall heading to Glentoran from the Hoops

Shamrock Rovers defender Rhys Marshall is making a return to the Irish League after playing for the one season in the SSE Airtricity League with the Hoops where he earned a league winners medal.

Rovers had signed the player for a five figure sum from Glenavon ahead of the 2020 season – during his time with the Lurgan Blues he had made 225 league appearances, winning the Irish Cup in 2014 and 2016.

The Mourneview Park side had offered him a four year deal, with the option of a testimonial in his final year but he made the move to full time football with the Hoops.

In the shortened 18 game league campaign, Marshall made four starts for Rovers and a further nine substitute appearances. He scored one goal – in Rovers 2-0 away win over Waterford in February. In Rovers’ four FAI cup matches he made one start and another off the bench in the cup final in the Aviva.

With Stephen Bradley’s side playing three at the back all season, the 25-year-old had limited game time with Ronan Finn the preferred wing back. This week Rovers signed Sean Gannon from Dundalk, as well as versatile player Chris McCann so Marshall likely felt his game time was going to be further curtailed. He has moved to the Irish League where he can get game time straight away – the Glens sit seventh at present in the NIFL Premiership.

Manager Mick McDermott said Marshall “is a great signing for Glentoran. I know there is an expectation of immediate success at our club, but Rhys is typical of the sort of player we want here – young, highly talented, highly professional and completely committed to the major project here to take this club right back to the top of Irish football and – even more importantly – keep it there.

“We want the best possible young players at the Oval as we continue with our project. The lads we’ve signed in recent months and the contracts we’ve extended demonstrate clearly what strategy we have in place. Rhys is the latest very exciting addition to what will be the best squad in Ireland, north or south.”

Rovers confirmed that “the club has agreed a transfer fee with Glentoran for the player.

The club wishes Rhys all the best in the Irish League.”