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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Andy Lyons move to Blackpool confirmed for January 2023

Andy Lyons will move from Shamrock Rovers to Blackpool in January on a three-year and a half year contract with the option of a further year.

The Championship club had made several offers for Lyons, the Ireland under-21 international who moved to Rovers from arch rivals Bohemians in the close season.

It is believed that Blackpool will pay the Hoops upwards of €275,000 for Lyons.

The talented 22-year-old defender has hit the headlines in the past week, scoring the late winner in the Europa League play-off second leg victory over Ferencváros in Tallaght Stadium last Thursday before repeating the feat in the FAI Cup victory over Drogheda on Sunday.

It was his eighth goal of the season - and after he switched from right-back at Bohs to left wing-back for Rovers this year.

READ MORE: Stephen Bradley admits he never expected Andy Lyons would become such a goal threat

Speaking after the Drogheda game, Rovers boss Stephen Bradley said the club's director of football, Stephen McPhail, was dealing with Blackpool's interest.

And Bradley heaped praise on Lyons, claiming: “He’s just grown and grown, Andy.

“We obviously tried to get him a while back. We felt he’d improve us and he has improved us.

“And obviously he has added eight goals, which I don’t think anyone would have guessed he’d have that.

“There is still a long way to go in the season, but he has been fantastic for us.”

A statement from Rovers confirmed: "After initial approaches were declined, Shamrock Rovers F.C. has accepted an offer from English Championship club Blackpool F.C. for the transfer of full back Andy Lyons. Crucially for Rovers, the transfer will not take place until January 2023.

"Andy has been with the club for 8 months having signed to play as a full-time professional with European football opportunities and has excelled in his relatively short time at Rovers.

"Playing in a position new to the player of left wing back, Andy has gone on to score 8 goals in his 32 appearances to date.

"Andy will remain with the club until the end of the season as the Hoops go in search of a third consecutive league title, the FAI Cup and participate in the group stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

"The undisclosed fee is significant with the potential for additional performance-based benefits accruing subject to Shamrock Rovers F.C. over the term."

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