Globetrotting Irish striker joins Polish title contenders

He becomes the first Irish player to join a Polish league side.

Globetrotting Irish striker joins Polish title contenders

Globetrotting striker Cillian Sheridan has become the first Irish player to join a Polish league side, writes Stephen Barry.

Sheridan, capped three times under Giovanni Trapattoni, has left Cypriot side Omonoia to join Jagiellonia Bialystok, who are in second place in the Ekstraklasa.

The deal was reportedly struck for €250,000 after the club dropped their interest in Blackburn attacker Anthony Stokes, with Sheridan signing a two-and-a-half year contract this afternoon.

The 28-year-old Cavan-native caught the eye of his new club as he scored the winning goal for Omonoia against the Polish side in the Europa League second qualifying round last summer.

He has spent the past four seasons in Nicosia, winning the league and cup double with APOEL in 2014 and 2015. He was the only Irish player to play in the Champions League group stages in 2014, playing against eventual champions Barcelona, PSG and Ajax, before moving to Omonoia in June 2015.

Sheridan has previously played for Celtic, Kilmarnock and CSKA Sofia, where he won the Bulgarian Cup in 2011.

Scottish defender Ziggy Gordon and Lithuanian international Arvydas Novikovas also joined Jagiellonia in the past month as they bid to close the four-point gap to league leaders Lechia Gdansk.

“I feel like I can breathe,” said Sheridan after completing the transfer.

“It’s been a crazy few days, 24 hours really, trying to get everything sorted and get over here. But now, everything’s done and I’m looking forward to getting started.

“It helps when you’re going abroad to have some familiar faces or even familiar cultures, with Ziggy and, obviously, Ivan (Runje, a former teammate at Omonoia) I know. But even if I didn’t know them, from how I feel so far it’s a very friendly club and I’m sure everyone else will make me feel at home.”

more courts articles

DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers
UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules
Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London

More in this section

Shamrock Rovers v Derry City - SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division Kenny nets winner as Shamrock Rovers get back on track against Derry
St Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne - SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division Duff's Shels stay top after last-gasp winner against Kenny's Pat's
Feyenoord v Excelsior - Dutch Eredivisie - Stadium De Kuip Arne Slot confirmed as new Liverpool boss
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited