Dan Cleary is poised to sign for Shamrock Rovers in the next 24 hours after leaving St Johnstone today.
The Hoops are looking to bring in defensive cover after losing star man Roberto Lopes at the weekend to a medial knee ligament injury.
Lopes is out for the next two months but former Dundalk ace Cleary is on his way back from Scotland to fill the void having only moved there in January.
Rovers were keen on Cleary, 26, when his contract expired at Dundalk at the end of last season.
But the former Liverpool youth joined St Johnstone instead, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the SPL side.
But in a statement today, the club said: “St Johnstone can confirm that central defender Dan Cleary has left with immediate effect.”
Saints boss Callum Davidson said: “Firstly, I would like to thank Dan for his service to the club. He arrived in January during a tough spot and helped us out.
“Dan will be leaving due to family reasons; I would never stand in the way of someone in that situation.
“The club would like to thank Dan for his time spent at McDiarmid Park and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Cape Verde international Lopes suffered his injury during the second-half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Drogheda United.
He left the ground on crutches and was still in a brace at Tuesday’s Champions League win over Ludogorets, where he watched from the stands.
“Pico will be out for around eight weeks,” said Rovers boss Stephen Bradley. “It’s not too bad. I thought he’d be out until next season.”
Lee Grace and Sean Hoare are stalwarts of the Rovers defence, either side of Lopes.
Sean Gannon can also play in a back three while Sean Kavanagh started there against Drogheda and midfielder Gary O’Neill has filled in during games in the past.
Barry Cotter would have been an option too, but he has joined St Pat’s on loan until the end of the season.
Asked after the win over Ludogorets if he would sign defensive cover in this transfer window, Bradley said: “Hopefully. We won’t bring anyone just to bring them in.
“If it’s someone that improves or fits what we do, we’ll definitely do it. We’re in that process.”
Jack Byrne - a close friend of Cleary’s - also missed last night’s Champions League game as well as the Drogheda clash last weekend.
But the Ireland international is on track to be available for next Thursday’s Europa League third round clash at home to Shkupi of North Macedonia.
Bradley added: “Hopefully. It was 10 days so next Thursday he should be just there.”
Elsewhere, Dundalk have signed Norwegian winger Runar Hauge from SPL side Hibernian on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old is the younger brother of Jens Petter Hauge, who came off the bench for Eintracht Frankfurt in their Europa League final win over Rangers in May.
“I’m a wide player and I love to attack, get in the box and create chances,” he said, becoming the second Hibs player after Steven Bradley to join Dundalk on loan.
And Lilywhites boss Stephen O’Donnell said: “Runar is a winger that can play on both sides. He’s quick and has real dynamism and explosiveness.”
