Ireland international Cillian Sheridan joins Polish high-flyers Jagiellonia Bialystok

Republic of Ireland international striker Cillian Sheridan has signed for high-flying Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok on a two-and-a-half year deal from Omonia Nicosia.

The 28-year-old joins Jaga, who currently sit second in the Ektraklasa – two spots ahead of Dundalk's Champions League conquerors Legia Warsaw – with seven games to play.

Jaga had been leading the table for much of the season but have given way to Lech Gdansk, who are similarly unfamiliar with such territory,

“Right now, I feel like I can breathe,” Sheridan told the club's official website.

“It's been a crazy few days, 24 hours really, trying to get everything sorted now and over here, but now everything's done and I'm just looking forward to getting started.”

Sheridan first attracted the attention of Jaga while starring for Omonia in their 2015-16 Europa League qualification win over the Polish side.

And the club have recently signed a former opponent from the Scottish Premiership in defender Ziggy Gordon, while Croatian Ivan Runjic was a teammate at Nicosia.

“You have some familiar faces and when you're going abroad to have familiar culture,” Sheridan continued.

“Obviously Ziggy and Ivan I know, but even if I didn't know these, from how I feel so far, it's a very healthy club and I'm sure everyone else will make me feel at home.”

The well-travelled Sheridan, who picked up three caps for Ireland under Giovanni Trapattoni, has spent the past four years in Cyprus having joined APOEL Nicosia in 2013 before joining crosstown rivals Omonia ahead of the 2015-16 season.

The Cavan native helped APOEL to consecutive league and cup doubles in his two seasons at the club and competed in the group stages of the Champions League against Barcelona, PSG and Ajax.

Sheridan had previously competed in Europe's top competition as a 19-year-old for Celtic, appearing in two games against Manchester United.

After finding it difficult to make the breakthrough at Celtic, Sheridan signed for Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia and spent time back in Scotland with St Johnstone and Kilmarnock before signing for APOEL.