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Across the water

Dundalk's top scorer Patrick Hoban has agreed to join Oxford United

The 23-year-old striker will sign for the League Two outfit in January.

Patrick Hoban Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

IRISH STRIKER PATRICK Hoban will sign for League Two club Oxford United in January, it has been confirmed today.

The 23-year-old Galway native scored 20 league goals for Dundalk last season as the Lilywhites claimed their first SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title in 19 years.

He was also named in the PFAI Team of the Year and on the four-man shortlist for Player of the Year.

There had been interest elsewhere and Hoban turned down the opportunity to go on trial at Kilmarnock a couple of weeks ago.

He will link up with The Us, currently 18th in England’s fourth tier, when the transfer window reopens on 1 January.

“I have been aware of Oxford’s interest for a while,” Hoban said. “They did their homework and came and watched me a few times and I hear plenty of good things about the club, Michael Appleton and the plans they have for the future.

“I am delighted to sign and now I will just work as hard as I can over the next few weeks, look to settle in and get to know the lads and I will be raring to go when I am able to play in January.”

Head coach Michael Appleton added: “He is a goalscorer, but he is also a strong lad, he brings other people into the game and like Chey Dunkley who we brought in yesterday he has a hunger and maybe a point to prove.

He came over as a lad at Bristol City and it didn’t work out for him so he has gone home, got his head down and worked very hard to earn another opportunity.

“He will have to be a little patient until January but it is great for us to have the chance to work with him knowing that he is going to be pushing very hard to be in the team in a few weeks’ time.”

Elsewhere, Cork City today announced the signing of midfielder Kieran Djilali. The former Crystal Palace man joins the Rebels after spells with Sligo Rovers and Limerick.

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