SHANE McFAUL has linked up with former UCD boss Pete Mahon at St Patrick's Athletic.

 

The former under-21 international midfielder has linked up with the Saints after his former club Sporting Fingal withdrew from the Airtricity League.

McFaul has previously played for Brighton and in the USA. He told stpatsfc.com: "I'm a local lad from Cherry Orchard who grew up supporting St Pats and going to games so I'm absolutely delighted to have signed.

"I was under contract at Fingal for another season and was shocked at what happened but when we were released it was a matter of moving on quickly.

"I've always wanted to play for Pats so I didn't think twice when Pete approached me and my mind was made up straight away.

"I know it will be tough to get into the team initially but I'm more than confident that once I get in I can do well.

"There's a lot of quality midfielders at the club but I'm looking forward to the challenge. The first training session at a new club is normally a nervy one but luckily I know a lot of the players.

"I'm very good friends with Brian Shortall, Derek Doyle and Ian Bermingham from around the area and from playing with them before.

"I'm really looking forward to the new season and I'm sure with the quality players we have it can be a successful one."

Saints boss Pete Mahon was delighted to add another quality player to his Richmond Park squad: "Shane is a player who I've known for a long time and as a midfielder he's top class.

"We're trying to bring in a certain type of player with good technical ability and he is top of the tree in that department.

"We're in six different competitions this season and we're part time so we have to try and keep adding to the squad.

"We need another three or four players but it's proving difficult to bring them in, in the current economic climate."