Third time a charm for Dan Cleary as he signs for…

Third time a charm for Dan Cleary as he signs for Shamrock Rovers

Dan Cleary says the time is right for his move to Shamrock Rovers after coming close to joining the Hoops on two previous occasions.

Just like fellow new signing Simon Power, Cleary, a League winning centre-half with Dundalk before moving to St Johnstone, is available to Stephen Bradley for tonight's FAI Cup clash with non-League outfit Bangor at Tallaght Stadium.

With Roberto Lopes sidelined for the next two months with a medial ligament injury, the 26-year-old can make an instant impact after he was released from a two and a half year contract at the SPL club for family reasons.

“There is a family situation going on at the moment, so I am happy to come back home," said Cleary.

"Stephen made contact with me so it was perfect timing.

“Rovers have always been a massive club in Ireland, back then they were big as well.

"It's good to see how well they have been doing the last few years and I'm looking forward to being a part of it.

"I'm absolutely buzzing, delighted to get over the line and looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Former Liverpool starlet Cleary went on trial with the Hoops in 2018 after leaving Birmingham City and before deciding to move to Dundalk, where he won two Leagues and two FAI Cups.

Rovers also wanted to sign him after last season but he moved to Scotland instead.

“I loved it," he said. "I went over and was straight in the team - it was a tough few months but we got the end result, to avoid relegation and stay up.

"I'm grateful for the club and the gaffer over there as well."

Bradley is delighted to finally get his man.

“It’s no secret that Dan is someone that we have admired for quite some time," said the Rovers manager.

"We spoke at length before he went to St Johnstone and kept in touch.

"The opportunity to sign him came up recently and we are delighted to get him in the door.

“He has a lot of the attributes that we require from our defenders. He’s a very experienced player that has won everything that there is to win.

"We feel that he is someone that will improve our team and our squad.

We look at the whole package that he brings, with European experience, and trophies, he’s played at a good level for all of his career, and he is a good age for us as well.

"He ticks all the boxes that we look for in a player. He’s fit, he’s had his pre-season minutes and he is ready to go."

Cleary, who played in the Europa League group stages with Dundalk, will also come into the reckoning for Rovers' Europa League tie with Shkupi.

The first leg is in Tallaght next Thursday and with the Hoops in with a great chance of making the group stages themselves.

"It's unbelievable," Cleary said. "I loved the feeling, playing at that level, playing big teams in big stadiums.