STEPHEN QUINN WILL resume his career in League One after Burton Albion announced today that the Ireland international has joined them on a short-term deal.
Quinn had been a free agent since a three-year spell at Reading — a significant portion of which was hampered by knee injuries — ended in May.
His last competitive outing came on this day last year, when he played 70 minutes for the Royals in a Carabao Cup victory over Millwall.
“I finished at Reading at the end of last season and I just didn’t know where to go with it. I was frustrated at the lack of games I played at Reading due to injury,” the 32-year-old Dubliner told Burton Albion’s official website.
“My body just needed the time off to heal. I had the time off over the summer to get the body right, and get that buzz and love for the game back again. I’ve come down here and certainly got that.
“I contacted the club to see if I could get fit and train, and I’ve done well enough in training that the manager sees something in me still, and he’s offered me the deal. Training at St George’s Park is always nice and the lads have helped me settle in.”
Quinn, whose contract lasts until 22 January, has been capped 18 times by the Republic of Ireland. His last appearance for Martin O’Neill’s side came as a second-half substitute in the 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw away to Serbia in September 2016.
Managed by former Nottingham Forest and Liverpool striker Nigel Clough, Burton were relegated from the Championship last season. They’ve endured a difficult start to life back in League One, taking just three points from a possible 12.
“He’ll bring ability, experience and I think more than anything that strength to do the right thing at the right time,” Clough said of Quinn, who was introduced in the closing stages of Ireland’s memorable victory over Italy at Euro 2016.
“When you’ve played at the highest level as he has done, internationally as well, you have that mental strength to know what the right thing is at the right time and do it for the majority of the game.
“He brings that mental toughness. We’ve always liked him as a player and we’ve watched him over the years. He’s a combative midfielder but he’s got ability on the ball as well.”
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