Sligo Rovers attacker Ronan Coughlan has signed for St Patrick's Athletic.
The 24-year-old - who spent two seasons at the Showgrounds - had developed into one of the league's top players in recent seasons, and played a key role in the Bit O'Red making their way into Europe next season.
However, the Limerick man has opted to move to Dublin and join Stephen O'Donnell's Saints, who finished in sixth position in the Premier Division after last season's truncated campaign.
SIGNING | Ronan Coughlan joins The Saints! 📝
Striker @Ronancoughlan10 has signed for the club for the 2021 season, joining from Sligo Rovers
The Limerick native has been telling us all about his move to Richmond Park!#Saints2021 #WelcomeRonan 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/WjqmeeAm2B— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) December 22, 2020
Speaking on St Patrick's Athletic social media channels today, Coughlan said it was an easy choice to join the Inchicore-based club.
"It has been a long time coming, I've been speaking to the gaffer for a few weeks now, actually I spoke to him two years ago when I was still at Sligo but I think I spoke to him again since the season finished and it was a no brainer for me," he said.
Describing it as an opportunity to take on a new challenge, he says he is encouraged by the conversations he has had with his new manager, Stephen O'Donnell.
"The gaffer and I spoke about stuff he can improve me on individually and I definitely agree with everything he has to say," he says.
"It's definitely a new challenge for me, the vision he has for the club and for myself personally, it's exactly what I want to be."
"I've spoken to the gaffer a lot about play and how he wants to see us play and I fit right into that mould so hopefully you can see us score more goals this season and be up at the right end of the table."
Coughlan and St Pats will no doubt hope to make their way into the European mix next season. Ironically, Coughlan, under the management of former St Pats manager Liam Buckley, helped Sligo Rovers achieve that feat this season with a last-day win over Dundalk helping the westerners secure fourth spot.
On his time with Sligo Rovers, he said:
"I loved playing for Sligo, I had two very good years, got on great with the gaffer there and the assistants and the staff and the players and the fans, they were all good to me so I really enjoyed my time in Sligo.
"But these things happen, I just want to have a new challenge and I'm delighted to be here."
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