Mark Hughes returns from Shels for a second stint with Drogheda United

Drogheda United have announced the signing of midfielder Mark Hughes from First Division rivals Shelbourne.

Hughes returns to United Park for a second stint with the Boynesiders, having previously played for the club in the Premier Division in 2015.

Before that, he had played in England with Scunthorpe United before returning to Ireland and playing 26 times, scoring twice, for Athlone Town in 2013 as they won the First Division.

He re-signed for Athlone the following season in the Premier Division and again played 26 games as Athlone were relegated back to the second tier.

Hughes then made the move to Drogheda, then managed by Johnny McDonnell, and made 25 appearances.

Longford was the next move for Hughes, as he made 23 appearances, scoring once, in a 4-2 defeat against Shamrock Rovers.

Hughes has spent the last two seasons with Shelbourne, making 23 appearances in all competitions in 2017.

His last appearance for Shelbourne, in 2018, came in their play-off defeat to Drogheda, as the nine men of Shels’ took Drogheda all the way to penalties after a 2-2 draw on aggregate.

Hughes adds to Tim Clancy’s midfield options for Drogheda in 2019, with Jake Hyland, Sean Brennan and Hughes’ teammate from his time at Shels, Cian Kavanagh, already signed.