Atlantic Paddy: Barrett swaps Louth for Ohio as he joins USL side Cincinnati

Former Dundalk midfielder Paddy Barrett has signed for United Soccer League side FC Cincinnati, pending international clearance.

The Waterford native left the Lilywhites at the conclusion of his contract earlier this month after spending the final three months of the 2017 season with his hometown club.

Ohio is the destination now for the former Galway United, Dundee United and Aberdeen defender, who featured in all six of Dundalk's Champions League qualifiers last season.

The USL is one of three leading divisions in North America and vies with the NASL to be recognised as the second tier below Major League Soccer. 

Former St Patrick's Athletic midfielder James Chambers competes in the league as captain of Pennsylvania side Bethlehem Steel.

“Paddy is a tough uncompromising center-back who also has the technical skills to play out from the back,” said Cincinnati head Coach Alan Koch.

“He has had some amazing experiences for a young player and has learned a lot from these appearances in major European competitions.

“We expect him to come in and compete for a starting position immediately.”

After winning back-to-back Premier Division titles with Dundalk, the 24-year old added a First Division winner's medal to his roll of honour in 2017.

He had previously tasted promotion from the First Division with Galway before being snapped up by Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny ahead of the 2015 campaign.

He spent time as a trainee with Aberdeen and Dundee United in Scotland before returning to join the then Waterford United, before moving to Galway in 2014.