Updated at 22.29

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC have announced the signing of Aidan Keena.

The 25-year-old signs from Cheltenham Town, subject to international clearance.

Keena previously worked with Pat’s boss Stephen Kenny at Ireland U21 level and re-joins the club where he began his senior career, seven years after his initial departure.

The striker returns from a second spell across the water.

He initially left Pat’s for Hearts, but struggled to find a home in Britain, also having short stints at Queen’s Park, Dunfermline Athletic, Hartlepool United and Falkirk.

It took a move to Sligo Rovers in 2022 to kick-start Keena’s career. 18 goals in 32 appearances saw him finish as the Premier Division’s top score and secure a move to Cheltenham Town.

But he was less prolific for the League One outfit, managing seven goals from 60 appearances.

Keena becomes Kenny’s fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Joseph Anang, Al-Amin Kazeem and Zack Elbouzedi.

Elsewhere, Cork City have re-signed Ruairí Keating on a multi-year deal after the striker’s St Patrick’s Athletic departure by mutual consent was confirmed.

The 29-year-old enjoyed the best spell of his career at Cork, helping them gain promotion after joining in 2022.

However, 13 goals in 34 Premier Division appearances last year was not enough to save the Leesiders from relegation.

The impressive performances secured him a move to St Pat’s last November, but he has struggled to replicate his form from last year, registering four goals from 22 league games with the Richmond Park outfit.

Keating has consequently opted to drop down a division, but Tim Clancy’s men look all but assured of a swift return to the top flight — at the time of writing, they are top of the table, 15 points ahead of second-place Athlone Town with 11 fixtures remaining.