Former Crystal Palace midfielder Owen Garvan signs new deal with Saints

Former Republic of Ireland under-21 international Owen Garvan has become the latest player to pledge his immediate future to St Patrick's Athletic.

 

The midfielder has signed a new deal to keep him at Richmond Park for 2018 after playing a vital role in keeping the club in the Premier Division in the second half of last season.

 

The 29-year-old, who played in the English Premier League with Crystal Palace, joined the Saints midway through the 2017 season after leaving Colchester United by mutual consent.

 

Garvan made ten appearances as the Saints successfully beat the drop with a final day draw against Derry City at Maginn Park.

 

"Owen was particularly unlucky when he began with us as he missed a few games through suspension and one or two through a nasty injury so having him fully fit at the start of the season will be great," manager Liam Buckley told the club's website.

 



"With both of the lads in there with the other players we've signed to date, we'll be pushing to finish as high as we can next season."

 

Dubliner Garvan was part of the infamous Home Farm team, which also contained Bohemians goalkeeper Shane Supple and Ireland international Darren O'Dea, that went undefeated for three years.

 

He joined Ipswich Town as a 16-year-old and made his senior debut within 12 months, and would make more than 150 appearances for the Championship club over the next five years.

 



A move to Crystal Palace followed in 2010 and, in 2013, he helped the Eagles to promotion to the Premier League with a play-off final win over Watford.

 

He spent time on loan with Millwall and Bolton Wanderers before leaving Palace at the end of his contract to join Essex side Colchester in the summer of 2015.

 

St Patrick's Athletic now have ten players confirmed for 2018: Michael Barker, Ian Bermingham, Ryan Brennan, Conan Byrne, Thomas Byrne, Dean Clarke, Lee Desmond, Owen Garvan, Graham Kelly, Simon Madden.