Shane Blaney has returned to Sligo Rovers after completing a loan move from Scottish side Livingston.
The deal, which runs until the end of June and is subject to international clearance, sees Blaney rejoin Rovers following a three-year spell in the Scottish Premiership with both Motherwell and the Lions.
The 26-year-old initially arrived at the Bit O'Red ahead of the 2021 season, following spells in England, and the Letterkenny native played 45 times for the club before joining Motherwell in 2023.
Blaney will be best remembered in Sligo for his spectacular long-range set-piece strike against the Scottish side at the Showgrounds in 2022, when Rovers famously dumped the Well out of the Europa Conference League.
With the league kick-off just two weeks away, Blaney’s signature brings to 21 the number of players signed by John Russell's side ahead of the first game of the season in Derry on 6 February.
Talking to the Sligo Rovers website, the centre-half said: "I found out last week that there was a possibility of coming back.
"So I spoke to Livingston and obviously I’ve had a rough year in terms of injuries, so it’s important that I get back playing and enjoying it.
"I spoke to a few clubs, but John Russell was on the ball and, to be honest, there’s no place better for me to be playing football, so I jumped at the chance and I’m really looking forward to getting going."
Russell said of the acquisition: "I’ve always kept in touch with Shane.
"We have a really good relationship and when there was a chance to get him back, I was very keen to do so and I’m sure our fans will be thrilled to see him back.
"He plays with real aggression and he’s competitive but he’s also calm in possession.
"I love his attributes as a player and he knows how we work in Sligo and the league. So that will help him hit the ground running."
Sligo's upcoming opponents Derry City have also been busy and in the wake of signing the McClean brothers, James and Patrick, and have quickly added Josh Thomas from Swansea.
The deal was announced on the day that the squad headed to Spain for a pre-season camp, with the former Wales Under-21 player joining them on a six-month loan deal.
Thomas spent last season on loan at Drogheda United, where a quad injured limited his involvement but he still managed to score six goals in 17 appearances.
"Swansea were keen for him to continue to develop and gain experience at senior level and we believe that this is an ideal opportunity for everyone," Derry boss Tiernan Lynch told the club website.
Meanwhile, Adam Frizzell has left the Candystripes to join NIFL Premiership club Linfield on a permanent transfer.
