David Cawley joins Galway United

Galway United have announced the signing of David Cawley from St Patrick's Athletic.

The combative midfielder has signed a one-year contract with the Tribesmen with the option of a second year.

25-year-old Cawley is Shane Keegan's first new signing since taking over at the beginning of November.

"David Cawley is a player I've admired from afar for the last two or three years,” Keegan told the club's official website.

“He is a central midfielder who is capable of controlling a game and stamping his authority on it. He will bring some great leadership qualities to the side on top of his obvious playing ability."

Cawley added: "Shane's ambition is there, it matches mine. We both want to move forward, we both want to be successful. Hopefully we can get the right start.

“Galway United is a club with great potential and I wanted to be a part of it going forward."

Cawley joined Pat's at the beginning of 2016 following a four-year spell at Sligo Rovers, during which time he won the league title in 2012 and the FAI Cup the following the year.

The Mayo native had previously been a trainee at Ipswich Town but left the Portman Town outfit in 2011 without making a senior appearance.