25-year-old Graham Burke is on his way back to Tallaght Stadium as he returns to Shamrock Rovers on a 12-month loan from Preston North End.
The Dublin native joined Alex Neil's side from Rovers last summer in a three-year deal, believed to be worth €300,000.
He made 12 Championship appearances for the Lilywhites in the opening half of last season but only scored once.
He was sent to Gillingham on loan in January of this year and has been there until this latest deal.
Prior to his Preston move, between 2017 and 2018 he was a fan favourite at Rovers, making 41 league appearances and netting 18 goals.
His club form earned him a call-up to Ireland’s senior squad and he earned three caps under Martin O’Neill - scoring once in June 2018.
In doing so, during a friendly against the United States at the Aviva Stadium, he became the first league of Ireland player to score an international goal in 40 years.
Burke has traveled to Nicosia, Cyprus with his Rovers team-mates, as they prepare to take on Apollon Limassol in the second leg of their second qualifying round Europa League tie, although he is ineligible to play.
Welcome Home 💚 pic.twitter.com/cjHLHZeL27
— Shamrock Rovers FC 🇮🇪 (@ShamrockRovers) July 31, 2019
Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has reacted to his return saying;
“I’m delighted to get him in. It’s been ongoing for a while.
“I always spoke to him since he left. When the opportunity of his availability came up, I mentioned it to him and he was delighted.
“He couldn’t wait to get it done. He was pushing hard at his end to get it done.
“I’m just delighted to get him in.”
Bradley said he was surprised Burke didn’t make a bigger impact at Preston.
“Of course,” said Bradley.
“Someone of Graham’s ability and talent. He’s a top player and I think everyone has seen that throughout his career.
“I think when you go (to) England you need a lot of things to fall into place.
“That just wasn't the case for Graham.
"During his career, he’s played up front and he’s played in midfield on the left and the right.
“He can play anywhere in the attacking part of the pitch.”
Speaking on Burke's loan move, Preston manager Alex Neil wished him well saying "Some lads need to go out to play football and Graham is one of them.
"He went to Gillingham on loan last season, he just wants to play football, he is at an age where he wants to play week in, week out.
"Unfortunately we can't guarantee that here. We wish Graham all the best."
Shamrock Rovers take a 2-1 aggregate lead into the second leg of their second qualifying round Europa League tie against Appollon Limassol in Cyprus tomorrow evening.
They currently sit second in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division, seven points behind leaders Dundalk.
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