Transfers involving League of Ireland clubs can be an unusual business.
Fees are almost never involved between the sides, meaning out-of-favour players may be released in the middle of the season by one club, before joining another days later.
That's a situation that happened to Chris Lyons in recent days. Lyons, who signed for Sligo Rovers ahead of the start of the season, was let go by the club ten days ago.
Chris Lyons has departed the #bitored by mutual consent. We wish Chris the very best in the future. pic.twitter.com/sEotvszqs1
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) July 31, 2016
Nothing was heard about Lyons until Sunday evening, when First Division side Drogheda United announced on Twitter that Lyons was to join the club. The tweet has since been deleted, with the only remaining thread of evidence, coming from a Sligo Rovers fan account.
Former @sligorovers player Chris Lyons has signed for Drogheda https://t.co/F4rbImlXUS
— Bit O Red (@bit_red) August 7, 2016
Despite revealing that Lyons was to join the club, Drogheda United had to quickly backtrack on Monday evening, claiming that Lyons was to return to one of his former clubs Bray Wanderers.
Drogheda United will not be signing Chris Lyons with the forward having agreed terms with Bray Wanderers.
— Drogheda United F.C. (@DroghedaUnited) August 8, 2016
A verbal agreement had been in place with a view to a contract signing this evening but the Dubliner has since joined the Seagulls.
— Drogheda United F.C. (@DroghedaUnited) August 8, 2016
That news has since been confirmed by Bray Wanderers, with Lyons returning for another spell at the club. He left at the end of last season to move to the north-west and was one of Dave Robertson's first signings in Sligo.
Bray Wanderers FC are pleased to announce that Chris Lyons is re-joining the Club from Sligo Rovers. 1/2
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) August 9, 2016
We welcome Chris back to The Carlisle Grounds” 2/2
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) August 9, 2016
While Drogheda United certainly have a right to be aggrevied by what has happened, no contract was signed and Lyons decided to remain with a Premier Division club.
League of Ireland transfers can be a funny business.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
