Republic of Ireland internationalist Jack Byrne has left Cypriot side APOEL after less than a year after agreeing to terminate his contract early.
The former Shamrock Rovers midfielder endured a troubled time in Nicosia as a persistent disc problem, which required surgery, and managerial upheaval limited opportunity.
Rovers fans hoping to see their two-time player of the year return in green and white hoops are set to be disappointed as the 25-year-old's future lies further afield.
The Ballybough man has been linked with a potential move to MLS expansion side Charlotte in 2022 but his release comes too late to secure a short-term move in Europe.
Transfer windows in the world's major leagues closed weeks ago, which means Byrne in effect will have been a year without first-team football when he next lines out.
It brings to an end a disappointing year for Byrne, who took the bold move of looking outside the UK after helping to lead Rovers to a first league title in a decade in 2020.
Manager Mick McCarthy, who handed Byrne his international debut before making him one of his first signings at the club, was sacked the week he completed the move.
A herniated disc hobbled his opportunity to impress McCarthy's successor, Savvas Poursaitidis, while he featured only once in pre-season under new boss Sofronis Avgousti.
With APOEL missing out on European football this year, and they've lost all three of their games so far this season, the club have made trimming the wage bill a priority.
"The company APOEL FOOTBALL (PUBLIC) LTD announces the completion of its cooperation with the football player Jack Byrne," read a club statement.
"We wish Jack good luck in his professional career and personal life."
