FORMER ST JOHNSTONE captain Joe Shaughnessy is on the verge of making a return to the Scottish Premiership.
Jim Goodwin is closing in on a deal to add the Galway native to his growing Irish contingent at St Mirren.
Shaughnessy has left Southend United, who parted company with manager Sol Campbell earlier this week following their recent relegation to League Two in England.
The 27-year-old centre-back spent one season at Southend, having joined the club last summer when he rejected the offer of a contract extension at St Johnstone.
He’s now set to link up with compatriot Goodwin, who succeeded in preserving St Mirren’s Scottish Premiership status in his first season in charge.
The Waterford native, who began his management career at Alloa Athletic, signed Conor McCarthy and Jamie McGrath from Cork City and Dundalk respectively during the January transfer window.
As well as bringing in former Irish youth international Sam Foley at the start of last season, Goodwin had 23-year-old Irish defender Sean McLoughlin on loan from Hull City for the first half of the campaign.
Shaughnessy, whose younger brother Conor is on the books at Leeds United, made 21 appearances for Southend during an injury-hampered 2019-20 season.
The ex-Ireland U21 international triggered an additional year on his contract at Roots Hall, but an agreement has been reached for the player to be released.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
