Dundalk striker Pat Hoban
Derry City are close to finalising a deal with Dundalk for the services of Pat Hoban, with the Candystripes set to stump up an initial fee in the region of €30,000 to get the transfer over the line.
The clubs have been involved in protracted negotiations for Dundalk’s record goalscorer and a breakthrough was reached yesterday that should result in the Galwegian moving north.
Derry will pay around €30,000 for the 32-year-old, but the proposed deal includes add-ons that would increase the bottom line for Dundalk if the Candystripes enjoyed success domestically or in Europe this term.
Hoban’s future has been a major talking point in Louth since it emerged in October that the player had been told the club were open to allowing him leave even though he had a year remaining on his contract.
Dundalk were always going to be looking for a fee, with their new owner Brian Ainscough confirming in December that there was no budgetary reason guiding the decision to entertain the prospect of Hoban departing.
While Bohemians and Galway United were keen on the established front man who has scored 150 times for the Lilywhites, Hoban was attracted by the idea of moving to Derry when they made their intentions clear.
Ainscough subsequently said that manager Stephen O’Donnell and Hoban would have to decide what was best for all parties.
Ultimately, the conclusion was reached that proceeding with the transfer was the preferred outcome for all concerned, but the sticking point with Derry has been working out the asking price for a player in Hoban’s age bracket.
He scored 14 league goals for Dundalk in 2023, one behind chart topping pair Jonathan Afolabi (Bohemians) and Jack Moylan (Shelbourne), who have both moved
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