Alan Cawley, who starred for St Patricks Athletic in central midfield in their excellent European run last season, has signed with Dundalk FC for next season. Holder of a premier league medal with Shelbourne in 2004, the 27 year-old has matured into an excellent creative midfield player. A former under age Ireland international, Alan also scored a memorable 30-yard strike for St Patricks Athletic against Sligo Rovers last season.

Ian Foster commented *“I am pleased to be able to able to complete the first of my new signings for next season, and Alan is a player who have impressed me over the last couple of seasons. He is a natural footballer who revels in playing the ball on the ground and is a natural fit for the attacking style that I want to employ. A lot of effort has gone in to talking to the players that we want, and it takes time for this to translate into solid deals. The squad will start to take shape gradually over the next number of weeks as we agree terms with others, but it’s good to get the first new signing sorted out before Christmas. I am very optimistic and confident