Newry City snap up former League of Ireland duo Ger Pender and Pablo Cavalcante

Northern Irish Premier League side Newry City have announced the double capture of the former League of Ireland duo Ger Pender and Pablo Cavalcante.

Pender joins the Co Down outfit from recently-relegated Bray Wanderers while the exciting Cavalcante joins the Showgrounds from double champions Dundalk FC.

24-year-old Pender joins up with his new employers after making 102 appearances at League of Ireland level with Cabinteely, Longford Town, Drogheda United and, most recently, the Seagulls.

Pender, who scored nine goals in three seasons for Bray, has earned a move up north for himself after a wretched year at the office for the Bray native at his hometown club, which ended in relegation.

Speaking on his move to the Showgrounds, Pender revealed his excitement upon the opportunity to test himself in a new division. 

“I’m delighted to sign for Newry City, and I am excited at the challenge of playing in the Danske Bank Premiership,” he told the club’s media team.

“Hopefully I can help the team push up the table and we can have a successful second part of the season.”

Manager Darren Mullen added; “Ger was our number one target in this window and I’m delighted to get him.

“Everyone who has watched us this season knows we needed reinforcements up front and Ger comes with a wealth of experience and is a proven goal scorer.”

Brazilian-born Cavalcante struggled to imprint his name into an ultra-competitive starting eleven at Oriel Park and is hoping to continue his develop under the guise his new boss, Darren Mullen.

The 20-year-old signed a new contract with the Lilywhites late last year but has opted to return to Northern Ireland to link up with the Premiership's newest side.

“I’m happy to have joined Newry City AFC and look forward to helping the club push on now for rest of the season," the former Dundalk under-19 star said.

There are a lot of great people around the club and I’ll do my very best to help the club and develop as player here.”

Mullen continued; “Pablo is widely known in youth football and has shown enormous potential.

“What he needs to do now is transfer that onto the senior stage on a regular basis and he will get every opportunity to do that here at Newry.

“He’s a young talented lad and we are delighted to have him at the club.”