Wes Hoolahan linked with return to Shelbourne

Hoolahan is been linked with a return to the Dublin club.

Shelbourne want to sign Wes Hoolahan, according to reports. The former Republic of Ireland midfielder, 39, is currently playing for English League One side Cambridge United. Hoolahan's contract expires at the end of the current season, and he has been linked with a return to Shelbourne, where the Dubliner started his career. The League of Ireland side are managed by Damien Duff.

Hoolahan linked with transfer to Shelbourne.

According to multiple reports in the Irish media on Thursday, talks between Hoolahan and Shelbourne have already taken place. The midfielder, 39, is out of contract at the end of the season and is free to speak to other clubs. Duff reportedly wants Hoolahan to be on board for the start of the 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division season, which kicks off on February 18. The Dubliner, however, is said to be settled with Cambridge United, and he is still part of manager Mark Bonner's plans for the rest of the season. Hoolahan helped the League One team record a shock victory over Newcastle United at St James Park in the FA Cup last Saturday. https://twitter.com/TalkNorwichCity/status/1481318072552202245 The former Ireland midfielder is said to be interested in returning the Shelbourne, the club where he started his career. But, according to The Irish Independent, more talks will be required between the parties before any deal can be agreed. And a summer move may be more likely. Cambridge want Hoolahan, who turns 40 in May, to be available for their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Luton Town on February 4, a few days after the January transfer window closes.

Hoolahan and Shelbourne.

Hoolahan is one of the most talented players in Shelbourne's history. Between 2001 and 2005, the Dubliner lit up Tolka Park and helped Shels win the Premier Division three times. He was also part of the Shelbourne team that reached the final qualifying stage of the Champions League in 2004 when the Reds lost to the Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna. Hoolahan left Shels for Scottish team Livingston in 2006, before moving on to Blackpool. The midfielder spent 10 years with Norwich City and helped the Canaries earn promotion from League One to the Championship and then the Premier League. Hoolahan played over 350 times for Norwich before leaving in 2018. He then had a brief spell with West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle Jets in Australia. The former Ireland midfielder, who won 43 caps for his country, returned to English football in 2020 when he joined Cambridge and helped them earn promotion to League One.