IRISH DEFENDER JOHN Mahon has left St Johnstone by mutual consent and subsequently returned to Sligo Rovers, it has been announced.
The 23-year-old defender joined the Saints from Sligo Rovers last year but has managed only seven appearances for the Perth club amid stiff competition for a centre-back berth.
Manager Callum Davidson suggested last month that Mahon should go out on loan.
“You look at the size of our squad and where we are, how well Alex Mitchell and Ryan McGowan have done,” he said. “It’s been difficult for John to get back in and it’s important he goes and plays.
“Ideally I’d like him to go to a Scottish team with a view to coming back here. We didn’t bring him in just to let him go.
“He struggled a little bit at the start of the season with chances to play.
“There is potential there, there’s a player there, we just need to find it and get the best out of him.
“There’s a couple of clubs in Ireland, a couple in Scotland interested. It’s important we get him out playing games.”
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John Mahon is to leave St Johnstone by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
The club thanks him for his contribution at McDiarmid Park and wish him well for the future.#SJFC | @spfl |
The plan to loan Mahon out has since been shelved and the defender has now left the club permanently.
A short statement from St Johnstone on Friday said: “John Mahon is to leave St Johnstone by mutual agreement, with immediate effect. The club thanks him for his contribution at McDiarmid Park and wish him well for the future.”
Sligo then announced that Mahon had re-signed for the club on a permanent basis until the end of the 2024 SSE Airtricity Premier Division season.
He had previously been a big part of the Bit O’Red’s success, helping them qualify for Europe and winning their 2021 Player-of-the-Year accolade, and making over 90 appearances for the club in total.
“I’m excited with the signing of John Mahon,” manager John Russell said.
“John has turned down much larger financial packages in order to return to Sligo Rovers but, this clearly demonstrates his loyalty, commitment and his love for the club.
“John has come up through the academy here and he knows the league well having put in some outstanding performances before making his move to Scotland last year.
“Being a proper defender, John is aggressive in and out of possession. He has a warrior mentality — he leaves everything on the pitch which I know the fans appreciate.
“John hasn’t played a lot of football in the last 12 months so it’s important we are patient and help him regain his fitness, sharpness and confidence. There is no doubting his quality.
“I know from our conversations he is looking forward to joining the group, working hard, and getting back to enjoying his football.
“I’m sure the fans will be excited about John’s return.”
“I am absolutely delighted to be back at Sligo Rovers today.
“It has been a tough few months for me and, I was delighted to know the club wanted me back.
“The moment I started speaking to John I knew it was the best move for me as from working with him in the past I know he will give me a chance and opportunity to play football.
“The season is just a few weeks away and I’m already looking forward to the opening game against Shams.
“I am happy to be home and back where I belong and to continue where I left off last year. There is some unfinished business and, I can’t wait to get going.”
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Irish defender Mahon returns home after Scotland stint cut short
Updated at 18.14
IRISH DEFENDER JOHN Mahon has left St Johnstone by mutual consent and subsequently returned to Sligo Rovers, it has been announced.
The 23-year-old defender joined the Saints from Sligo Rovers last year but has managed only seven appearances for the Perth club amid stiff competition for a centre-back berth.
Manager Callum Davidson suggested last month that Mahon should go out on loan.
“You look at the size of our squad and where we are, how well Alex Mitchell and Ryan McGowan have done,” he said. “It’s been difficult for John to get back in and it’s important he goes and plays.
“Ideally I’d like him to go to a Scottish team with a view to coming back here. We didn’t bring him in just to let him go.
“He struggled a little bit at the start of the season with chances to play.
“There is potential there, there’s a player there, we just need to find it and get the best out of him.
“There’s a couple of clubs in Ireland, a couple in Scotland interested. It’s important we get him out playing games.”
The plan to loan Mahon out has since been shelved and the defender has now left the club permanently.
A short statement from St Johnstone on Friday said: “John Mahon is to leave St Johnstone by mutual agreement, with immediate effect. The club thanks him for his contribution at McDiarmid Park and wish him well for the future.”
Sligo then announced that Mahon had re-signed for the club on a permanent basis until the end of the 2024 SSE Airtricity Premier Division season.
He had previously been a big part of the Bit O’Red’s success, helping them qualify for Europe and winning their 2021 Player-of-the-Year accolade, and making over 90 appearances for the club in total.
“I’m excited with the signing of John Mahon,” manager John Russell said.
“John has turned down much larger financial packages in order to return to Sligo Rovers but, this clearly demonstrates his loyalty, commitment and his love for the club.
“John has come up through the academy here and he knows the league well having put in some outstanding performances before making his move to Scotland last year.
“Being a proper defender, John is aggressive in and out of possession. He has a warrior mentality — he leaves everything on the pitch which I know the fans appreciate.
“John hasn’t played a lot of football in the last 12 months so it’s important we are patient and help him regain his fitness, sharpness and confidence. There is no doubting his quality.
“I know from our conversations he is looking forward to joining the group, working hard, and getting back to enjoying his football.
“I’m sure the fans will be excited about John’s return.”
“I am absolutely delighted to be back at Sligo Rovers today.
“It has been a tough few months for me and, I was delighted to know the club wanted me back.
“The moment I started speaking to John I knew it was the best move for me as from working with him in the past I know he will give me a chance and opportunity to play football.
“The season is just a few weeks away and I’m already looking forward to the opening game against Shams.
“I am happy to be home and back where I belong and to continue where I left off last year. There is some unfinished business and, I can’t wait to get going.”
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John Mahon Moving On? Pastures new Sligo Rovers ST JOHNSTONE