Danny Mandroiu has returned to Shamrock Rovers until the end of the year, the club have confirmed.
Mandroiu, who most recently played for Lincoln City, returns to Tallaght after two years in the UK.
It's a boost to the club as they look to resurrect the defence of their their League of Ireland title, as well a European group stage campaign in either the Europa League or Conference League between now and Christmas.
"It's great to be back at Rovers for the next five months. I would like to thank Stephen Bradley, CEO John Martin and the Board of the Club," the 25-year-old said on Instagram.
"Playing in the Group Stages of a UEFA competition appeals massively to me. It is something that very few professional footballers get to experience during their career, and to do it with my great team mates at Rovers in front of such unbelievable fans is going to be special.
"From January, who knows where I'll be playing? That will be determined by how I perform. I have no problem taking ownership of that.There’s Europe and a League title to be played for."
Mandroiu signed for Lincoln in July 2022, playing 65 games for the club and scoring 15 goals. He was understood to have offers to remain in the UK.
Before joining The Hoops, Mandroiu played for their fiercest Dublin rivals Bohemians 44 times. Mandroiu subsequently won two Premier Division titles with Shamrock Rovers in 2021 and 2022, scoring 22 times in 53 appearances.
"We’re absolutely delighted to have a player of Danny’s calibre and level back at the club," Rovers manager Stephen Bradley said in a statement released by the club.
"We all know how good Danny was for us before he left. He was brilliant on and off the pitch. We kept in touch and have a good relationship so I’m absolutely delighted to have him back.
"We know Danny had other options, elsewhere and away so the club have worked hard to make it happen and made it happen so I can’t wait to get him started again at Rovers.
"Danny was taking his time and making the right decision for him and his life right now. But I wanted him to know if he was coming home that I wanted him at Rovers and thankfully Danny felt that way also.
"He has a connection with the club and the fans, a connection with the players and the group. He knows how we work and what we do, so it’s great to have him back in."
Rovers are bidding to become the first ever side to win five League of Ireland side to win five consecutive titles, although they currently trail Shelbourne by 10 points, with one less game played.
The club are hopeful that Mandroiu will be available for selection for Thursday's Europa League play-off first leg tie against PAOK in Greece.
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