Glentoran acquires former Derry City defender Shane McEleney

Glentoran has announced the signing of Shane McEleney, a former defender for Derry City, on an 18-month contract. McEleney previously secured two FAI Cups during his time with Derry City. The 33-year-old player is set to officially become a part of the Glens squad in January, following the conclusion of his current contract with the Candystripes. McEleney’s two FAI Cup victories with Derry occurred across two separate tenures, with the initial triumph in 2012 taking place under the management of Declan Devine, who is now the current Glens boss. His career has also included stints with Finn Harps, Larne, St Patrick’s Athletic, and Ottawa Fury. His final appearance for his hometown club was on Sunday, in an FAI Cup match where they were defeated by Drogheda United. In a statement to Glentoran’s official club website regarding the acquisition, manager Devine commented that McEleney contributes “a wealth of experience” to the east Belfast team. Devine further stated, “His quality on the ball, defensive ability and leadership skills will make him an invaluable asset to our squad.” The manager also remarked, “I’ve had the privilege of working with Shane before and I know how driven and committed he is to success. He will play a pivotal role in what we’re building here.” McEleney conveyed his satisfaction upon joining the club, which currently holds the third position in the Irish Premiership table. McEleney commented, “The club is a sleeping giant with a proud history, and I want to play a part in helping the club return to winning silverware.“I’ve fully bought into the vision here and am motivated to contribute to what Declan and the team are building.”