Mark Connolly clinched his move to Dundalk on a six-month loan from Dundee United.
And the centre-back, 30, said he was thrilled to be home after 15 years in England and Scotland.
The Monaghan man was at Wolves, Bolton, Crawley, Kilmarnock and Dundee United
“I’m really excited and really buzzing to be here,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming and it hasn’t been a great secret but it’s something I really wanted and I’m delighted it’s done.
“It was a huge decision for me to come home. It’s been almost 15 years since I went to England as a teenager and it’s a decision I didn’t take lightly.
“Unfortunately, last year my father passed away and I wanted to be closer to my family but, as well as that, I believe I’m coming home to the right club."
Lilywhites boss Stephen O'Donnell said: "We are getting a very good footballing centre-back and he is also a great communicator.
"He leads by example and he has great experience from playing at a good level in England and Scotland.
“He’s coming off the back of a very good loan spell at Dunfermline where he was excellent and he has banged out plenty of 90-minute games over the past couple of months and, without a doubt, he will add lots of quality to our squad.”
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