UCD HAVE ANNOUNCED the arrival of vastly-experienced striker Jason Byrne.
The 37-year-old, who has had spells at Bray Wanderers, Shelbourne, Cardiff City, Bohemians and Dundalk, arrives after ending his second stint with the Gypsies last season.
Brian Shortall and Cathal Brady have also joined the Students as they look to win promotion back to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Byrne needs 18 goals to equal Brendan Bradley’s all-time League of Ireland record of 235 and UCD boss Collie O’Neill is looking forward to working with the centre forward, who was capped twice for Ireland.
“Jason impressed me when I met him before Christmas, the whole conversation was about football, he just loves his football and loves to score goals,” said O’Neill.
“We almost signed him during the summer transfer last season but for one reason or another we just couldn’t complete the transfer.
He has great presence in the dressing room, he’s a top quality pro and I’m drooling with the thoughts with maybe seeing a sorcerer and the apprentice partnership in Byrne and Swan.”
“We’ve made some very acute signings this year and we’re going to give it a go,” added Byrne.
“First and foremost I want to get myself fit and ready for the season ahead and hopefully I can get a bit more game time than I did last year.
“The goal is to get as many goals as I can and get promoted with UCD.”
That’s exactly where he should be playing for Ireland with Stevens and Doherty as wing backs
@Nicholas Ryan: yup, nowhere near the standard in the position he has previously excelled at. But same accusation can be made of the lad playing in front of him for Ireland. Neither him or McClain have been anywhere near to International standard for well over a year….
@ℝ: In fairness, you could at least say that McClain was somewhat distracted with shooting those die hard movies
@Stephen Lyons: haha
@Nicholas Ryan: totally agree. With the players we have available to us that’s the formation we should be playing and personal also.
@Nicholas Ryan: I agree. Similar to Gary Nev when he switched from Right Back to Centre Back. With Doherty at RB, it’s a strong part of the Irish lineup
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