Galway United have landed a huge summer swoop - with local star Greg Cunningham joining the League of Ireland side. Cunningham, who played in the Premier League with Manchester City and Cardiff City, as well as a host of Championship clubs, has returned to his hometown.

And he can’t wait to get started with the Premier Division as Galway continued their push for a European spot next year.

“It means a lot, being away for so long, it's very pleasing to be back home,” he said. “I'm going to give it everything I got and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

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Capped four times for Ireland, Cunningham was with Mervue United before moving to City at 16 years of age in 2007.

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He made five first-team appearances for City, while he had successful loan spells at Leicester City and Nottingham Forest during his time with the current Premier League champions.

Cunningham then moved to Bristol City, where he featured over 100 times, while he also made 100-plus appearances at Preston.

He returned to the Premier League in 2018 when he moved to Cardiff City, while there were loan spells at Blackburn and Preston, before he returned to Preston on a permanent basis.

The versatile player can line out at centre-back and left-back, and he said: “I've always given everything every time I'm on the pitch.

“I think I understand the game quite well. I'll just try to give everything to the club and help share my experience with the boys.

“It's really important to help the younger players as much as I can, trying to improve everyone as you go along.”

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