Former Bohemians goalkeeper Matt Gregg will battle for the No.1 shirt with Peter Cherrie at Dundalk in 2010, after being confirmed as the Lilywhites’ fifth signing ahead of the new season.

Gregg was most recently on the books of Bohs, for a second time, where he was unable to dislodge current Ipswich Town goalkeeper Brian Murphy from the No.1 spot, before being released by Pat Fenlon at the end of his contract last November.

He had joined the Dalymount Park outfit from UCD in January of last year, having spent two seasons with the Students, with whom he made 47 appearances and scored one goal – a memorable last-gasp equaliser at home to Cobh Ramblers in July 2008.

A native of Cheltenham in England, Gregg played cricket up to U16 level, before deciding to concentrate on his football career. He played for Gloucester Primary Schools before entering senior football for the first time as an apprentice with Torquay United, making his debut while still aged only 16 in a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic in September 1995.

Another first-team appearance came towards the end of the 1996/97 season, away to Doncaster Rovers, before he turned professional at the end of that campaign. Following 30 more appearances for Torquay, including the 1997/98 playoff final defeat by Colchester United, he moved to Crystal Palace in October 1998, for a fee of £400,000.

Five months later, he moved on-loan to Swansea City, but he returned to Palace shortly after, eventually making his debut for The Eagles in a 1-0 defeat by Fulham at Craven Cottage in April 2000. However, a lack of first-team action saw him complete another loan swap, this time to Exeter City in September 2001.

Six weeks later, he left both Exeter and Palace permanently, as he arrived at Bray Wanderers, on a free transfer, for his first taste of the League of Ireland. In his two seasons at the Carlisle Grounds, Gregg impressed enough to earn a move to the then champions, Bohemians, in April 2003.

He spent four years with the Gypsies before making the aforementioned move to UCD. At the end of his time at Belfield, in December 2008, Gregg was shortlisted for the Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Goalkeeper of the Year award, but lost out to future teammate Brian Murphy.

Meanwhile, the Lilywhites have confirmed a fourth pre-season fixture ahead of the new campaign. Ian Foster will bring his side to Monaghan on February 26th, as well as playing three home friendlies earlier in the month.

Confirmed Friendlies
Sunday 7 February – Dundalk v Athlone Town – Oriel Park, 2pm
Tuesday 9 February – Dundalk v Shelbourne – Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Tuesday 16 February – Dundalk v Drogheda United – Oriel Park, 7.45pm (Jim Malone Cup)
Friday 26 February – Monaghan United v Dundalk – Century Homes Park, 8pm