Four-year deal on the table for Patrick McEleney to return to Derry City

DERRY City have shown their determination to compete with the top three in the League of Ireland by offering Patrick McEleney an incredible FOUR-YEAR DEAL to return to the Brandywell.

In an unprecedented move, club Chairman Philip O’Doherty has given manager Kenny Shiels the extraordinary deal in a bid to bring McEleney back.

Shiels revealed last week that Barry McNamee, who turned down a new contract at the club to join rivals Cork City, had been offered the ‘highest contract possible’ during his time at the club. Whilst that endeavour failed, with McNamee leaving the club after close to a decade, Derry have gone all in to get McEleney to return to his hometown club, just two years after leaving for Oriel Park.

McEleney still hopes to secure a move to England this winter, with Blackburn Rovers and Oldham Athletic interested, although it is believed that Doncaster Rovers have withdrawn from talks.

McEleney’s desire to move to across the water is no secret with the midfielder expressing his desire to further his career in England after a brief spell at Sunderland in his teenage years ended in disappointment.

Should McEleney fail to gain his move, it is looking more and more likely that Derry City will be an option, but Dundalk are fighting hard to keep him at the club.

Stephen Kenny, who gave McEleney his senior debut with the Candy Stripes back in 2010, and who brought him to Oriel Park following the departure of Richie Towell to Brighton, is keen  to retain the services of McEleney, with the deposed champions offering the Derry man a three-year deal to stay.