David Webster becomes St Patrick's Athletic's second new signing of the off-season

David Webster admits it was a big decision to give up European football with Waterford but the lure of St Patrick’s Athletic was just too strong.

The 29-year-old centre-half signed a one-year deal with the Saints on Wednesday, becoming the second new arrival following the appointment of Harry Kenny as manager last month.

Firhouse native Webster made 28 appearances for the Blues last season and was a key factor in the newly-promoted side’s run of form that saw them finish fourth in the league.

With the prospect of Europa League football next season, Webster would have been expected to remain at the RSC, but playing his football back in Dublin proved too tempting.

“Harry rang me up last week and we had a couple of chats down the road and made his plans out to me,” Webster told the club’s media team.

“We had a chat about his plans for the club and how successful he wants to be, his plans to bring it forward and his plans for me. It was deal done once I heard all day.

“[Coming back to Dublin] was a big factor in making the decision. Obviously it was a big deal giving up European football that I worked hard to get into, so hopefully I can come here and get it.

“It’s a big club, a real historic club, and I want to be a part of bringing some success back to it.

“I’ve always had bad memories as the opposition team coming here – we never got a good result  – so I’ll be looking to keep that!”

Despite still being in his 20s, 2019 will be Webster’s 12th season in the League of Ireland, having debuted with Bray Wanderers as an 18-year-old in 2008.



Webster spent seven seasons with the Seagulls before being snapped up by Shamrock Rovers ahead of the 2015 season.

The defender scored his first European goal as Rovers beat Progres Niederkorn of Luxembourg 3-0 at Tallaght Stadium, and would spent three years in total at the club.

Webster signed for Waterford at the beginning of the 2018 season and became a regular fixture at the heart of the Blues defence, scoring once in 28 league games.