Wes Hoolahan has returned to English football with Cambridge United.
The former Republic of Ireland playmaker has signed a one-year deal with the League Two side.
Hoolahan left Australian A-League side Newcastle Jets at the end of June, less than a year after joining the club.
Now 38, the former Shelbourne and Norwich midfielder says he's delighted to be joining Cambridge, a club with whom he was on trial last year.
"I was obviously on trial here for four weeks last year and I enjoyed my time," he told the club's website.
"I knew what the training ground was like, what the boys are all about and that all factored into my decision to sign.
🖊️ WES HOOLAHAN IS A U!
🖤 💛
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/BgMABIfyHV#WelcomeWes pic.twitter.com/UCNTvewK69— Cambridge United FC 🇺🇦 (@CambridgeUtdFC) July 28, 2020
"I’m grateful for the opportunity and hopefully I can reward the likes of Ben Strang and Mark Bonner who have kept this option open for me, during the forthcoming season.
"I’ve met with Mark last week and he’s said some great things, he’s passionate about the game and going forward it’s clear he wants the Club to succeed. I’ll enjoy working with him.
"I’m looking forward to the number of games you have to play in League Two, there’s a good amount of Saturday/Tuesday turnarounds, it will be a challenge but I really want to play as many games as I can.
"I want to play my role in pushing Cambridge United up the League."
Manager Bonner says last year's trial period showed them Hoolahan's calibre, "He showed us last summer the benefit to our environment he will add by setting standards with his work ethic and professionalism.
"I know he will be another excellent character around the club and in the dressing room, but he is full of energy to play, to make us better and to contribute to a winning team."
