Karl Sheppard returns to Shamrock Rovers on loan until July

Shamrock Rovers have signed former striker Karl Sheppard on loan from Premier League side Reading.

The 21-year-old joins Trevor Croly’s squad until July.

Sheppard moved to Reading from Shamrock Rovers at the end of the 2011 season and had since had a loan spell at Accrington Stanley, scoring one goal in 10 appearances.

The former Republic of Ireland under-21 international’s contract expires next summer but his future will be at the Hoops until July at least in a major boost for Croly.

Mark Quigley, Ciaran Kilduff and Tommy Stewart are already in the attacking ranks at the Hoops.