DERRY CITY AND JAMES MCCLEAN END CONTRACT BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT

Derry City and James McClean have mutually agreed to end his contract with immediate effect, the club and player said in a joint statement on Wednesday. McClean returned to his hometown club from Wrexham in January. Derry City had not included him in a matchday squad since July. Earlier this month, McClean described a previous attempt by the club to end his contract as “incomprehensible”. He called his absence from the squad “one of the most difficult periods in my life, personally and professionally”.

The joint statement said both sides were “satisfied with the outcome and are pleased to move forward constructively”. McClean said he was pleased to have reached a resolution and that his return had not worked out as he had hoped. “Derry City FC will always hold a special place in my heart,” he said. He thanked supporters and wished the squad, management and staff well. Derry City chairman Philip O’Doherty thanked McClean for his dedication to the club and noted his 103 senior appearances for the Republic of Ireland.

McClean began his career at Institute before moving to Derry City in 2008. He spent three years at the Brandywell before joining Sunderland in 2011. He later played for Wigan, West Brom, Stoke and Wrexham. Derry City travel to Sligo Rovers on Friday for their final League of Ireland Premier Division match of the season. The club then face Waterford in the FAI Cup final at Aviva Stadium on 8 November, and McClean wished the team luck.