Sligo Rovers defender Patrick McClean on Derry City's New Year wishlist

DERRY City Football Club is closing in on the signing of Sligo Rovers defender Patrick McClean ahead of the 2026 League of Ireland campaign.

The 28 year-old left-sided centre-half signed an 18 month contract with the Bit O'Red last summer when making his return to the Sligo Showgrounds under manager John Russell. He made his second debut with the club against Derry City when scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win in Sligo and went on to make 14 league appearances.

And while the former Glentoran defender has another year left on his current deal, it's understood Derry boss Tiernan Lynch is hopeful of negotiating a deal with the Foylesiders’ Premier Division rivals and bring McClean back to Brandywell for a third spell.

McClean emerged through Derry City's academy structures and made his first team debut in 2015. He left for Waterford two years later where he helped the Munster club win the First Division. The player moved to Sligo Rovers in 2018 and made 27 appearances during his first spell at the club before returning to Brandywell for an undisclosed fee in 2019 under Declan Devine.

The Derry native, who is primarily a centre half but can also operate as left-back, was afforded limited game-time during that spell and joined Glentoran in the summer of 2019 and went on to win the Irish Cup the following year with the Belfast club.

The experienced defender would be a popular signing for Derry City supporters and fits with Lynch's recent recruitment policy as the Belfast man is keen to recruit local and players who have League of Ireland experience.

Lynch is in the market for a defender following the departures of Mark Connolly, Sam Todd and Ronan Boyce. It's understood Cliftonville's highly rated centre half Odhran Casey is on Lynch's radar but Shelbourne appear to be leading the race for the Belfast man's signature.

It's been a busy window for Lynch who has already captured the signings of Darragh Markey [Drogheda], Rob Slevin [Galway United], James Olayinka [Waterford] and James Clarke [Bohemians].

The return of McClean from Sligo Rovers would be yet another significant piece of business from the Brandywell outfit who are intent on winning a first Premier Division title since 1997.

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