Patching signs a two-year deal

DUNDALK FC wrapped up their second signing of the off-season last week when former Manchester City trainee Will Patching put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Oriel Park.

The 21-year-old joins Greg Sloggett as the first of the new arrivals to Vinny Perth’s squad ahead of next season.

Patching, who hails from Stockport, had been on Manchester City’s books since the age of six before departing the club in 2018.

He then joined up with Notts County where he made 10 senior appearances for the League Two side before leaving Meadow Lane in the summer.

Despite being clubless since then, the attacking midfielder is highly thought of having represented England at underage level on 25 occasions. He also featured for the Three Lions at the 2015 U-17 World Cup in Chile where team-mates included Liverpool right back Trent Alexander Arnold.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com after signing, Patching said: ‘It’s a great feeling to be at the club. It happened all in the last week, I met Vinny and have been impressed with everything. It has been good and I am glad to be here. The facilities are great and it seems like a good place to play. I have done my research on the club and we have been very successful. I am a player who loves to score goals, assist and play high up the pitch. I am hoping to bring that to the team.

‘I want to win trophies here, that is what I have come here to do. I want to do well in Europe. That is a big thing for me. I know that the club got to the group stages of the Europa League a few years ago and the aim is to get back there. I want to be successful and win everything while I am here.’

Patching is set to report for duty in Dundalk on December 16th ahead of the start of pre-season training in the New Year.