Shamrock Rovers beat rivals to major transfer coup ahead of Europa League play-off against PAOK

Danny Mandroiu has returned to Tallaght Stadium and could be eligible for Thursday's clash in Greece with PAOK.

By: irishmirror.ie

Aug 19 2024
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Shamrock Rovers beat rivals to

Shamrock Rovers have won the race to sign their former winger Danny Mandroiu - beating rivals St Patrick’s Athletic to his signature.

Rovers on Monday evening confirmed the 25-year-old's ahead of the Hoops’ trip to Greece to face PAOK in their Europa League play-off - where Mandroiu could make his second debut for the club.

Pat’s were hopeful of signing the former Bohemians and Rovers man, who turned down a new contract with League One side Lincoln City.

Mandroiu spent two seasons with the Imps, where he continued the form that earned him a move to England.

He scored 15 goals in 65 appearances and had been linked with a move to Blackpool this summer, but opted instead for a return home to Dublin.

He was spotted watching Rovers’ 3-1 win over Slovenian side Celje last week, which guaranteed them European group stage football.

They are bidding over the next 10 days to secure a Europa League spot ahead of Greek champions PAOK, but have the safety net of Europa Conference League football until well into December.

Pat’s were also on the hunt for the skillful attacker ahead of their Europa Conference League play-off against Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir.

Mandroiu played over 60 games for Rovers in his first spell at the club, following his move from bitter rivals Bohs ahead of the 2021 season.

Hoops boss Stephen Bradley reacted to the news, saying: "We’re absolutely delighted to have a player of Danny’s calibre and level back at the club.

"We all know how good Danny was for us before he left. He was brilliant on and off the pitch. We kept in touch and have a good relationship so I’m absolutely delighted to have him back.

"We know Danny had other options, elsewhere and away so the club have worked hard to make it happen and made it happen so I can’t wait to get him started again at Rovers.

“As I said, Danny had other options in England I knew that as we kept in touch and met and had good chats in the last number of months. So Danny was taking his time and making the right decision for him and his life right now.

"But I wanted him to know if he was coming home that I wanted him at Rovers and thankfully Danny felt that way also.

"He has a connection with the club and the fans, a connection with the players and the group. He knows how we work and what we do, so it’s great to have him back in.

We’re hoping to have him in straight away. We’re hoping everything goes through in time, that he can travel to Greece with us and be available for the game against PAOK. So all going well he’ll be straight in.”

Mandroiu added: "It’s great to be back at Rovers for the next five months. I would like to thank Stephen Bradley, CEO John Martin and the Board of the Club.

"Playing in the Group Stages of a UEFA competition appeals massively to me. It is something that very few professional footballers get to experience during their career, and to do it with my great team mates at Rovers in front of such unbelievable fans is going to be special.

"There’s Europe and a League title to be played for and, hopefully, a new International manager to try to impress."