Trevor Clarke is returning to Shamrock Rovers as a ‘more mature player’ and Stephen Bradley insists he can impact their four-in-a-row push.
The versatile wing-back - who trained with the Hoops today - has joined the League of Ireland champions on loan from Bristol Rovers until November 30.
And the League Two club - who are managed by Joey Barton - have confirmed that the switch is with a view to a permanent transfer at that point.
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Clarke, 24, was a Shamrock Rovers player between 2016 and 2019 before joining Rotherham United and later Bristol Rovers.
The Hoops moved for Clarke after Andy Lyons joined Blackpool and boss Bradley said today: "We got speaking to Trevor the last few weeks and we're delighted to get him in.
“We obviously know about Trevor's attributes from before he left but I think now he's a more mature player and a better all-round player."
"We feel that his pace and athleticism definitely adds to the team and the group.
“We know his character and personality and if you spend 10 minutes with Trevor now you see that he's a more mature man than the one that left us.
“He's a different man and, I believe, better for that.
“We're a different team to the one Trevor left as well so all-round I think both parties are in a different state than what they were when Trevor left the club [in July 2019]."
Clarke made 15 appearances for Bristol Rovers this season and his most recent came in a 1-1 draw against Bolton on December 2.
Bradley continued: "He's hungry to be successful and I think that's important.
“When he was here, he helped the group and the club at the start and when he left, we've been very successful.
“Trevor wants to be part of a group that's successful and playing in Europe and obviously he'll have that opportunity here, if he works hard."
Bristol Rovers boss Barton - the former Manchester City midfielder - said Clarke needed to move on for the sake of his career and his sanity.
Barton told 'Bristol Live': “He’s grafted away and it never worked out for him. He never got a run and, if I’m honest, he never got any luck with his injuries.
“There's definitely something in there. He has something, Trev - his straight-line speed is as good as anyone’s and he’s aggressive.
“I just think he needs a regular rhythm of games. He needs to go and play 40-45 games and just get that feel of playing week in, week out."
Barton continued: “You've got to play football as a footballer. That's the only way you improve.
"Training is great if you’re a young player dipping in and out of it while your body catches up, but if you’re 24, 25 or 26, you have to be playing.
“Those lads need to kickstart their own careers, mainly for their own sanity."
Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Brian Murphy has announced his retirement after a 23-year-old career in Ireland and the UK.
Involved in Republic of Ireland squads under Giovanni Trapatton and Martin O’Neilli, but uncapped at senior level, he hangs up the gloves at Waterford FC.
But Murphy, 39, is staying on at his hometown club as a first-team coach and head of the goalkeeper academy.
Murphy won two league titles and an FAI Cup with Bohemians and also played for Manchester City, Swansea, Ipswich Town, QPR, Portsmouth and Cardiff City.
Cork City have re-signed Matt Healy on loan from Ipswich Town until the summer while Finn Harps have snapped up forward Michael Harris from Colorado Rapids.
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