Paddy Barrett joins hometown club Waterford on loan from Dundalk

Waterford have secured the loan signing of defender Paddy Barrett from Dundalk until the end of the season.

 

The Déise native returns for a third spell with his hometown club having spent the past 18 months with Stephen Kenny's league champions.

 

The 24-year-old scored three times in 16 times for the Lilywhites last season and was prominent in their European qualifying campaign that year.

 

However he has found gametime difficult to come by this year in spite of the departure of centre-half Andy Boyle to Preston North End during the off-season.

 

Barrett, who is adept at centre-half or full-back, played underage football with local sides St Paul's and Southend United before spending time in Scotland with Aberdeen and Dundee United.

 



He returned to Ireland and signed for Waterford United in 2013 before moving to Galway United, where his performances earned him a move to the Lilywhites for 2015.

 

“When the opportunity arose to join Waterford on loan until the end of the season, I did not hesitate,” Barrett told the club's media team.

 

“It gave me the chance to help the club get back to the Premier Division.

 



“I’ve seen the team play this season and they’re so close to making a return to the top division. If I can play a part in that with six games remaining in the season, well I’ll be delighted to do so.

 

“I hope to bring my experience to the squad for the last six games so we can get things over the line and win promotion.

 

“It would be also great to get a good run in the cup. We’ve a home game against Shelbourne and there is no reason why we can’t make our presence felt in that competition.”