Dubliner Daniel Cleary has become the latest League of Ireland star to make a jump across the water after penning a deal with Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.
The 25-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Perth club, bringing to an end a trophy-laden four-year stint with the Lilywhites.
Drimnagh native Cleary, who came through the ranks with Liverpool and had a spell at Birmingham City before signing for Dundalk in 2018, had other offers on the table.
Dundalk boss Stephen O’Donnell, who won the league and cup double with Cleary in 2018, St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians had always been interested in the centre-back.
St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson admitted last month he had looked to sign Cleary last summer and he finally got his man following the expiry of his Dundalk contract.
"This is a great move for me and I can't wait to get started,” Cleary told the Saints’ official website.
"I had other offers to consider but St Johnstone is the perfect challenge for me at this stage of my career.
"The manager made me feel really wanted and he is the type of manager I want to play for.”
Cleary won an impressive six major trophies in his four years at Oriel Park, including a league and FAI Cup double in 2018 and a league and EA Sports Cup double in 2019.
He was also part of the Lilywhites side that reached the group stages of the Europa League for the second time in 2020 as they finished bottom of a group topped by Arsenal.
Cleary added: "I was over for a short visit last month and it was good to work with the manager, the coaching staff and the players. I was impressed with the set-up.
"I'll be back over permanently when training starts this week and we all know how important the next few weeks and months are going to be.
"We know it is going to take hard work and dedication as the starting points to get points on the board and climb the table.
"I know I am ready for that challenge and I need to impress the manager and the staff to show I am worthy of a place in the team."
