Arguably the most skillful player in this year's League of Ireland will not be gracing it in 2018: Patric McEleney has today left Dundalk for Oldham in England's League One.
The transfer has been mooted for a few days now, with Oldham manager Richie Wellens clunkily describing him as the "best footballer in the Republic of Ireland league". The Manchester Evening News is today reporting that a transfer has been agreed, with Oldham signing McEleney ahead of Doncaster and Blackburn.
McEleney is likely a replacement for Irish youngster Jack Byrne at Oldham, as Byrne is due to return to his parent club Wigan in January. It remains a possibility that Byrne hangs around Oldham to the end of the season - he has admitted he wants to stay.
A couple of Oldham supporters are naturally enthused by their new signing having looked at his highlight reel.
Looks like Mceleney has done real talent and can play with both feet. Hopefully he can do it in lg1 #oafchttps://t.co/bQqaFu3U5e
— OAFC (Failing) Memories (@oafcmemories) December 20, 2017
This McEleney looks a player. Seems to be a right coup. He’ll be some player if he can fill the void Byrne will leave when he goes back to Wigan #oafc
— Tom Butterworth (@tom_db) December 20, 2017
Stephen Kenny, meanwhile, faces somewhat of a rebuilding job at Oriel Park ahead of the next season. In addition to the loss of McEleney, the club have also allowed Dave McMillan and Niclas Vemmeleund leave for St Johnstone and Middlefart (stop sniggering down the back) respectively.
Elsewhere, Saint Patrick's Athletic today confirmed the signing of Kevin Toner from Aston Villa on a two-year contract.
