Keane and Shiels sign with Dundalk

Fresh from their European exploits, Dundalk FC have today announced the signing of two experienced players, defender Alan Keane and midfielder Dean Shiels to bolster their squad for their busy end of season period.

Keane retired at the end of the 2015 season after over 200 games during a successful career spent at the Showgrounds, where he previously played alongside Gary Rogers, Darren Meenan, Daryl Horgan and David McMillan at various stages over the past ten years since his signing from Galway United.

Speaking of his return to the League of Ireland, on his club’s website, he remarked: “Stephen Kenny can be a very persuasive man! But it was only a club like Dundalk that could have got me out of retirement. A club at the top with trying to win the league again and possibly the Cup with the European games to come it’s great.

“It’s going to be exciting and hectic but looking forward to the challenge. It’s a good place to be and to have the chance to win the league again for me is great. We need to win the league again to progress and have nights like this week.

“That’s the target and hopefully we can end up with trophies and a good European campaign at of the season. We have to focus on Wexford Youths now and get back to the bread and butter.”

Keane recently featured for the club as a trialist in a friendly against an Everton Development XI.

Shiels arrives at Oriel Park following the end of a four year term at Rangers. The son of current Derry City manager, Kenny Shiels, the midfielder boasts a wealth of experience having spent time in England at Doncaster and Scotland with Hibernian and Kilmarnock as well as amassing 14 international caps for Northern Ireland.

As a youth he played for Arsenal alongside current Oriel Park skipper Stephen O Donnell and he told his new club’s website of his desire to experience further success in his career.

“I want to win things. I have won trophies in Scotland and Dundalk have won trophies over the last couple of years so that’s what I have come here for. I want to win as many things as possible and the lure of European football helped too.

“I used to live with Stephen O’Donnell at Arsenal for a few years so I know him quite well and that helps but I am looking forward to it. I have heard nothing about good things about the club and the league so I can’t wait to get started.”

Both players are available for selection for Dundalk’s away league encounter with Wexford Youths on Friday evening.