Dundalk snap up former Manchester City youngster Will Patching

Premier Division and EA Sports Cup winners Dundalk have unveiled the signing of former Manchester City star Will Patching.

Patching has made 25 underage international appearances for England – and also played for the Three Lions at the 2017 under-15 World Cup.

The midfielder departed Man City at the end of the 2018 campaign, after he spent 14 years at the club’s academy.

The 21-year-old made the move to Notts County following the conclusion of the 2017-18 season – but he only lasted a year at Meadow Lane before departing in the summer.

However, the move to Oriel Park will provide the Manchester native with a chance to relaunch his career.     

“It’s a great feeling to be at the club,” Patching told the Lilywhite’s media team.  

“It happened all in the last week, I met Vinny and have been impressed with everything. It has been good, and I am glad to be here.

“I want to win trophies here, that is what I have come here to do. I want to do well in Europe. That is a big thing for me.

“I know that the club got to the Group Stages of the Europa League a few years ago and the aim is to get back there. I want to be successful and win everything while I am here.”

Dundalk boss Vinny Perth added; “We are delighted to finally get Will to the club.  We have been working on this one for a while.



“Will has had a Rolls Royce upbringing in football. He has been at the very best club in Manchester City. He has been capped underage at England. We feel he may have lost his way a bit in the last year in the game.

“The final part of his development as a footballer is learning how to play men’s football and becoming a man on the football pitch.

“A certain amount of that has been done at Notts County where we have watched a lot of his football and we have been very impressed with what we have seen. We believe we are signing a player with huge potential.

“We believe he can become a real star. At 21 year-old years of age, he is a vastly experienced young player. The future is bright. The hard work for him starts now but we believe in him.

“Supporters should expect a talented, attack minding footballer who has magic in his feet. With the right fitness level and the right understanding of the game he will be a real asset to the squad.

“He has a bit of work to do and we have a bit of work to do but we believe he is at the right club to make it happen.”