Patrick McClean: I’m sorry to Glentoran fans but happy to be back

Defender is back at Glentoran after announcing his retirement earlier this year

Patrick McClean has returned to Glentoran

Patrick McClean has apologised to Glentoran fans for walking out on the club earlier this year and says he’s now focused on firing the team to more success.

McClean rocked the Glens and the Irish League in February when he announced he was retiring from football at the age of 26.

Cliftonville were interested in the former Derry City player but he remained under contract at Glentoran and is still highly rated at the BetMcLean Oval.

He joined the Glens in 2019 and was a key figure in their Irish Cup triumph the following year.

Last summer, he signed a contract extension until 2025.

Announcing his decision to quit, McClean posted on Instagram earlier this year: “I’ve decided to call it a day with my football career.

“It’s not been an easy decision but it’s one I have been thinking about for a while now.”

At the time Glentoran said they would “retain Patrick’s registration for the remainder of his contract”.

The Glens announced yesterday that the former Waterford and Sligo Rovers man was back in the camp and raring to go again.

McClean, who will resume training immediately, stated: “I want to apologise to the club, to my team-mates and especially to the supporters for how I left in February. I know the timing was poor but at the time I had issues in my life that I was struggling with and I couldn’t concentrate on football the way I needed to. I know I put the club in a difficult position at an important stage of the season and I can only apologise for that to everyone involved.

“Other clubs have contacted me but this wasn’t about going anywhere else.

“I knew if I came back to football I wanted it to be at