Filippo Giovagnoli said the process of making new signings for Dundalk can begin in earnest after Michael Duffy became the latest Lilywhite to sign a new deal.
Dundalk have lost Sean Gannon and Sean Hoare to reigning champions Shamrock Rovers.
But Sean Murray, Daniel Kelly, David McMillan, Cameron Dummigan and now Duffy have signed back, while Norwegian striker Ole Erik Midtskogen has been snapped up on a free transfer from Europa League opponents KI.
“Keeping our current players was the priority which is which is why we have waited for a little while to bring in new players,” said the Dundalk boss.
“They are players who did really well for us since I arrived and I pushed to keep them and have them back.
"I am really happy that they all stayed, they are really good players and really good people.”
The Dundalk players had been due to return to training on January 10 but due to the Covid restrictions going to Level 5 and the season pushed back to March, Giovagnoli confirmed it will be towards the end of the month before that happens.
“We are going to try and find out when the first game, the President’s Cup, will take place, and from there we will count back and see how many weeks we need to prepare.”
Duffy, in particular, is one that the Italian really wanted to keep at Oriel Park.
“It was just a matter of trying to find a deal for him because he was out of contract," said Giovagnoli.
"I think he was always willing to stay but when you have to sign a contract then it becomes a bit of business between the player and the club.
“The club always wanted Mikey to stay and they did their best to keep him.
"He is a top player for us and I think the chairman Bill Hulsizer and the sporting director Jim Magilton did a good job keeping him here."
