Patrick McClean returns to Derry City on a two-year deal

Derry City have announced the return of Patrick McClean to the club, as the defender signs a new two-year deal at the Brandywell.

McClean, a product of the club’s academy made his debut over a decade ago when he appeared as a sub in a 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers in September 2015. He made 15 appearances across the 2015 and 2016 season before departing for Waterford.  He was captain of the Blues as was part of the side that clinched the First Division before making the move north to Sligo Rovers.

He returned to Brandywell for the 2019 season but left midway through that campaign to join Glentoran in the Irish League.  An extended spell in East Belfast saw him rack up 184 appearances for the Glens, before he was tempted back to the Sligo Showgrounds in the summer of 2025.  He was a vital part of Sligo’s battle against relegation, scoring twice in fourteen appearances for the Bit O’Red last year.

City manager Tiernan Lynch expressed his excitement about the return, noting McClean's increased maturity and potential impact.

“He is a lad I know well, has spent a lot of time in the Irish League.  He has been hugely impressive and it was time to get Paddy home.”

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“Paddy has now got that little bit older and that little bit wiser.  This is a really good opportunity for him to fulfil that dream to get on the pitch for his home town club and he is desperate to be successful.

“In my opinion he was the bedrock at Sligo last year. He scored a very good goal against us and had some top quality performance.”