Dundalk sign former Liverpool player despite Shamrock Rovers trial

Dundalk mean business.

Stephen Kenny has further added to his squad ahead of the 2018 season, signing former Liverpool and Birmingham City defender Daniel Cleary. Cleary, now 21, spent five years on Merseyside and was around the first team squad when Brendan Rodgers was at the helm, but he dropped down the pecking order once Jurgen Klopp arrived at the club. The former Irish underage international had been on trial at Shamrock Rovers and was expected to sign with the Tallaght Stadium outfit, but he is now on the Dundalk roster as the Lilywhites look to avenge Cork City's double-winning season.   The centre back moved to Birmingham City in the summer of 2016 but, once again, found himself outside of the first team squad and, after a loan spell away, he now has decided to move to Ireland. Speaking to the media team for Dundalk's official website, Cleary seemed happy that he has chosen to join up with Stephen Kenny's squad for this season.

"I’m delighted to get settled in and I’m looking forward to the games kicking in on Friday," he said. "I’m ready to go now, I can’t wait for it to start and get points on the board. "The gaffer contacted me and I was delighted to come up here and grabbed the chance, I’m settled in now and ready to go. "I’ve watched the League of Ireland during the summers when I’d come home and Dundalk is probably the biggest club in Ireland at the moment, they’ve won the league numerous times and kicked on in Europe so I’m looking forward to doing that myself."

Cleary and co kick off their league season on Friday as they take on Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park. This article was written by Sam McKeever.