On Tuesday, Paddy McCourt was released from his Luton Town contract twelve months before it was scheduled to end.
The termination of the contract was at the request of McCourt. In a statement, Luton manager Nathan Jones said the winger had cited personal reasons for wishing to return home to Northern Ireland.
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Paddy has had to face up to some personal problems in recent weeks and at the end of the season he came to me about his future and it was soon clear to me that he wanted to return to Northern Ireland to be closer to his family and to play there again. It wasn’t a straightforward decision for me – Paddy has done well for us, but in the end we reached an agreement and he goes with my blessing.
The 32-year-old will not be without an employer for long.
According to Donegal journalist Chris McNulty, McCourt will return to the League of Ireland by signing for his home town club Derry City.
Hearing that Paddy McCourt will be confirmed as a @derrycityfc player by next week. Will give Brandywell some lift.
— Chris McNulty (@ChrisMcNultyDgl) May 25, 2016
The Northern Ireland international returns to the Brandywell after an eight-year absence.
The 'Derry Pele' has been a fan favourite where he has roamed, scoring some incredible goals in his 15-year career.
Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE