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Shane Griffin at a Reading training session. Steven_Paston
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Reading youngster returns home to sign for Cork City

Shane Griffin has represented Ireland up to U21 level.

READING DEFENDER SHANE Griffin has signed for Cork City on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old, who has been capped for Ireland up to U21 level, comes to Turners Cross, following a number of years with the English club.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie, the defender said he was eager to pursue the move home when their interest was made known to him.

“I first heard of Cork City’s interest last week and, as soon as I heard it, I was buzzing to get going. Now that I’m here, I’m delighted to have signed.

“I would have played with John Kavanagh and Garry Buckley at schoolboy level, and also with Kevin O’Connor and Seanie Maguire on international duty.

“Speaking to the lads before I signed, they all gave me good reviews and said it is a great set-up here; how well they are looked after, how good training is, so it was an easy choice.

“Everyone is hungry to do well and hungry to get better. It’s also a competitive squad, it’s not just eleven players, I think everyone is good enough and everyone is hungry to play. The first aim for me is to get in the team.

Soccer - Barclays U21 Premier League - Aston Villa v Reading - Bodymoor Heath Training Ground EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

For the squad, we want to go one better than last year and hopefully win the league.”

City boss John Caulfield gave his reaction to the signing, saying:

“We are delighted. Shane is a local lad, 22 years of age and can play across the back four. He is very athletic, very good on the ball, has a great left peg and is the type of player we have been trying to bring into the club over the last year and a half.

“Shane had done really well at Reading but a change of manager had set him back a bit, so he is coming again now and he is here for two years at a great age.

“He has been capped all the way through underage level; he has tremendous potential and it is up to us to get the best out of him. It is up to him to establish himself in the first team, he has a great attitude and we are looking forward to working with him.

“We have a strong core of Cork lads here and it is great to bring another local lad in.”

The arrival of Griffin to the Leesiders follows a number of other signings, including Ryan Delaney, who is on loan from Burton Albion until July.

Cork City will begin their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division campaign with a trip to Finn Harps on 24 February.

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