Football: Hoban makes move to the Glens
Glentoran have completed the signing of Pat Hoban from Derry City.
The 33-year-old forward has signed a two-year contract at the BetMcLean Oval after moving from Tiernan Lynch's League of Ireland for an undisclosed fee.
Hoban arrives at the BetMcLean Oval having netted over 200 senior career goals during spells with Mervue United, Dundalk, Oxford United, Mansfield Town and, most recently, Derry City.
The Galway native is Dundalk’s all-time record goalscorer with 150 goals across two spells at the club, leading the line as the Lilywhites clinched League of Ireland Premier Division titles in 2014, 2018 and 2019.
He continued that form at the Ryan McBride Brandywell, finishing as joint top scorer in the League of Ireland Premier Division last season with 14 goals in his debut campaign for Derry. This season he made eight appearances and scored once for the Candystripes.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign for Glentoran," said Hoban.
"As soon as I spoke with Declan and Paul, I knew it was the right move and I didn’t need any convincing. This is a massive club, one of the biggest north or south, and I want to play my part in bringing success back to The Oval.
“I’ve faced Declan’s teams many times over the years, so I know exactly how he likes his sides to play. I also know Paddy McCourt well and a number of the lads here, including Ciaran Coll and Shane McEleney, so it already feels like a great fit.
“There’s real quality in the squad and a fantastic coaching team behind it. The standards around the club are first class and the environment that Declan and his staff have built is one of the best I’ve seen. I’m excited to get started and be part of it every day," Hoban added.
“I’ve come here to work hard, earn my place and do what I’ve built my career on - scoring goals. My aim is to hit the ground running, help the team start strong and contribute right through the season as we push for trophies.
"I’ve heard so much about the Glens supporters and I can’t wait to pull on the shirt and give everything I have for the club.”
Manager Declan Devine added: “Pat is a proven goalscorer and someone I’ve admired for a long time. I’ve come up against him plenty of times and know first hand the impact he can have. To now have someone of his quality in our squad is a real asset.
“As soon as we knew there was a chance to bring him here, he became our top priority. We were well aware of the strong interest from clubs across the League of Ireland, so to secure his signature is a major coup and a clear statement of where we want to go as a club.
“His goalscoring record speaks for itself, but it is also the standards he sets, the experience he brings, and the hunger he still has to compete and win that make him such an important addition. He is sharp, motivated and arriving with a real point to prove and that will only raise the levels around him," Devine says.
“With the creativity we’ve added this summer in Liam Burt and Jordan Stewart, alongside the creative quality already here in Joe Thomson and Charlie Lindsay, we wanted a forward with Pat’s instinct and pedigree.
"He complements our existing options superbly and gives us real variety and depth in the final third. I know our supporters will love what he brings to this club.”
The arrival of Hoban follows the signings of Scottish midfielder Liam Burt and Jordan Stewart ahead of the 2025/26 Sports Direct Premiership campaign.
There have also been new contracts for club captain Marcus Kane, midfielders Josh Kelly and Charlie Lindsay and last season’s top goalscorer, Jordan Jenkins.
A number of academy prospects have also committed their futures to Glentoran, including Jude Johnson, Ciaran Rogers Duffy and Cal Weatherup, who have signed their first professional contracts.