Former Sligo Rovers captain Richie Ryan has packed his bags and headed off to the glitz and glamour of the, eh, SPL with Dundee United.
Tipp native Ryan has been one of the best players in the domestic league in recent seasons and has attracted plenty of interest from across the water, but at 26, he decided that the time was right to give it another go overseas and has signed a two and a half year deal with his new club.
Ryan won back to back FAI Cups with the Bit O’Red in the last two seasons and was voted PFAI Player of the Year in 2010. He previously played for Sunderland, Scunthorpe, Boston United and Royal Antwerp before returning home to play for Sligo in 2008.
Dundee manager Peter Houston was delighted with Ryan’s signing, saying: “Richie is a different type of midfielder to those already at the club. He is more of a sitting, defensive player who is strong in the tackle and can pass the ball.
“He is left footed as well which adds to the balance of our midfield. Having played well in excess of 40 games this season for Sligo, he will now head home for a well earned break before returning to training with us in late December with a view to making an impact on our squad in January.”
Commenting on the move, Ryan said: “I’m over the moon, it’s nice to know my future is here at Tannadice for at least the next couple of years and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“With the number of Irish lads already at the club, it’ll be a little bit easier for me to settle in. The Irish lads who are here have done well and I know I can bring something to the squad here. I am looking forward to joining up with my teammates in December.”
Dundee are currently mired in mid-table in the SPL, a league where there is precious little outside attention paid to the fortunes of any club apart from dominating Glasgow duo Rangers and Celtic.
Still, it has proved a good shop window for the likes of Adam Rooney and Conor Sammon in recent seasons, so Dundee may not be the last stop for Ryan on his travels.
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