LEAGUE ONE STRUGGLERS Rochdale have announced the signing of Republic of Ireland U21 international defender Ryan Delaney on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
Delaney joins the club from Championship side Burton Albion, with whom his contract was due to expire this summer. The centre-back had been unable to make a first-team breakthrough with Burton, having joined the club from Wexford in the summer of 2016.
He spent the 2017 season back in the SSE Airtricity League after joining Cork City on loan. Delaney, who made 49 appearances in all competitions, helped the club to win their first double. As well as the Premier Division and FAI Cup successes, he picked up President’s Cup and Munster Senior Cup medals with the Leesiders.
“I wanted to come to a club that would help me progress even further and I feel that, at this point in my career, Rochdale is going to be a good club to help me to do that,” Delaney told Rochdale’s official website.
“The last year has been very good for me and I enjoyed getting out playing football and getting regular games. I feel as though I’ve improved a lot over the last year, so hopefully I can keep on progressing.”
Delaney, who was named SWAI/SSE Airtricity player of the month for May, was rewarded for his performances for Cork City by being named in the PFAI team of the year.
He attracted interest from Irish clubs recently, with Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough confirming that enquiries had been made regarding his availability.
However, Delaney has opted to stay in England by transferring to Rochdale, who are currently in a relegation fight as they languish just one place above the bottom of England’s third tier.
Pity we didnt get him at turners x,,,,,, best of luck boy.
Cork would be a better move than Rochdale ??? What’s he thinking ??
@Tricksy: know,but he has to give it a lash
@Tricksy: money, longer term stability, an opportunity to put yourself in the shop windown in the uk. City aren’t giving 2.5 contracts out at anywhere near the wages he’ll be commanding. League one is a higher standard than LOI also with bigger attendances (in general – city are well supported). there are some genuinely big clubs in league one, 5-6 big ex premiership sides. It makes perfect sense really.
@Leo Erah: point taken Leo , but a club in relegation trouble is not an ideal start ? Another year with cork playing in Europe etc might put him at a more stable club , no offence to Rochdale . Wes houlihan was a case in point ?
Think Johnny c should go for Damien Delaney, not getting into 1st team at Palace, he could do a lot worse; could be his last chance of playing in Champs league, be great if he followed Graham Cummins home
@running man: could they afford him? Even though he is 36 he’s on good money at palace
@running man: why not?
@Leo Erah: I know they can,t match his wages at Palace but sometimes football is more than just money, and how many more years has he left in prem league?Could get 2 or 3 years with City, play champs league and maybe win a few trophies. Get back to the Cross Delaney boy!