Dundalk defender Niclas Vemmelund turns down offers in Ireland and Scotland to return to Denmark

Danish defender Niclas Vemmelund has turned down offers from Ireland and abroad to return to his home country to sign for third-tier outfit Middelfart Boldklub.

The former Derry City and Dundalk centre-half has signed a one-and-a-half-year deal with the 2. Division side after deciding not to prolong his stay at Oriel Park.

As the Danish league operates on an autumn-summer schedule, 25-year-old Vemmelund will be available for his new club when the promotion round begins in March.

He leaves after two successful seasons in the League of Ireland, most recently winning an EA Sports Cup medal with the Lilywhites and being named in the PFAI team of the season.

The Dane made 25 appearances in total for the Lilywhites during 2017, scoring four goals, including the opening goal in the FAI Cup final defeat to Cork City at the Aviva Stadium.

“I am going home for several reasons, but primarily because I missed being in Denmark and being close to family and friends,” Vemmelund told the club's website.

“After a really good year in Dundalk, there was interest from Ireland, England, the United States and the best Scottish series, but I felt it was time to come home.

“Since returning home, I have been in dialogue with various full-time clubs, but we could not agree on a contract,.

“So picking Middelfart Boldklub and their exciting project was really very easy, especially in the light of [the fact] my fiance and I have bought houses in Middelfart.

“I am looking forward to my and our 'new' life in Middelfart, and look forward to welcoming my new teammates, the coach and the other around the team for my first training on January 15th.”

CEO Lars Peter Hermansener added: “After we heard Niclas wanted to return to Denmark and that he had bought a house in Middelfart, we had a great interest in getting him attached to our already strong squad,"

"Niclas was a wanted man, and he had more opportunities in Ireland, England and the United States, but life in Denmark with family, friends and education weighted higher than continuing his life as a foreign professional.

"In Niclas Vemmelund we have a ball-playing defender, with international experience and great fighting strength, and we are very looking forward to working together and that Niclas can share his great experience to our squad, which contains many talented young players.”

Vemmelund came through the youth system at local club FC Fyn, whom he helped to win promotion from 2. Division in 2011/12.

He moved to Superliga side Odense in 2013, where he remained for two frustrating years before signing for Icelandic Urvalsdeild side Stjarnan.

Vemmelund was part of the Stjarnan side that won the top Icelandic division for the first time ever in 2014 and reached the play-off round of the Europa League, which they lost to Inter Milan.

He had spells back in Denmark with BK Marienlyst and in Sweden with IF Brommapojkarna before signing for Kenny Shiels' Derry City ahead of the 2016 League of Ireland season.