St. Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen O'Donnell has bolstered his squad ahead of the 2020 season with a pair of signings.
Former Newcastle United youth midfielder Dan Ward has signed for the Inchicore club from English National League North side, Spennymoor Town.
Pat's have also completed the signing of former Rangers and Gillingham winger Billy King from Greenock Morton.
22-year old Ward only joined Spennymoor from Middlesbrough in June of 2019, but is looking forward to the new challenge, "Stephen came over to watch a game and then he got in touch so I spoke to the club I was at and they were happy for me to leave."
Ward promises to be an all-action midfielder, "I like a bit of box-to-box, prefer going forward. I just like to get about the pitch and work hard for the team."
When asked what he expected from the SSE Airtricity Premier Division, Ward told Pats' social media team, "A few lads [at St. Pat's] have played in England, and I know a few lads from back home who have played out here. We've spoken about it and they said it would be great to come over here, and it's a good league and very professional.
"I'm very excited for when the season starts and see what we can achieve."
🎥 “I Can’t Wait To Get Started In The Great Richmond Atmosphere”
📝 We’re delighted to welcome winger Billy King to the club
⚽️ The 25 year old made over 150 appearances in Scotland for Hearts & Dundee United among others & played for Scotland at U21 level
🔴⚪️ #Saints2020 pic.twitter.com/cfIiH2mYgw— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) January 8, 2020
King says Pat's assistant Patrick Cregg - another Scottish football veteran - played a key role in convincing him to cross the Irish Sea, "My contract was coming up [at Greenock Morton] and I met with the gaffer and Padge [Cregg] at Edinburgh Airport, obviously they wanted to get me in.
"So I looked up the club a bit, reviewed my options and I liked what the gaffer and Padge were saying, what their views were for the future and for this season.
"From what they were saying it's a really good squad and a great bunch of boys and I was really delighted to sign."
James Doona has also agreed to a third season at Richmond Park.
The former Shamrock Rovers midfielder has played 33 games for the Saints, scoring 5 times in the process.
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