Dundalk have signed England underage international Will Patching on a two-year deal.
The midfielder was most recently with Notts County and is a product of the Manchester City academy.
Patching, 21, said: “I love to score goals, assist and play high up the pitch so I’m hoping to bring that to the team.
“I want to win trophies here and so well in Europe. That was a big thing for me and the aim is to get back to the group stages.”
Dundalk boss Vinny Perth said the deal for Patching has been in the pipeline for some time.
Perth said: “Will has had a Rolls Royce upbringing in football. He has been at the very best club in Manchester City.
“He has been capped underage (25 times) at England but may have lost his way a bit in the last year.
“The final part of his development as a footballer is learning how to play men’s football and becoming a man on the football pitch.
“A certain amount of that has been done at Notts County where we have watched a lot of his football and we have been very impressed with what we have seen.
“We believe we’re signing a player with huge potential and we believe he can become a real star.
“Supporters should expect a talented, attack-minded footballer who has magic in his feet.”
Meanwhile, former Waterford, Bohemians and Dundalk defender Georgie Poynton has signed for newly promoted Shelbourne.
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