Amond returns to League of Ireland after signing Waterford contract

Padraig Amond is returning to the League of Ireland after signing for newly promoted Waterford ahead of the upcoming SSE Airtricity League season.

The much-travelled striker began his career at Shamrock Rovers, before signing for Sligo Rovers in 2010, where he scored 17 goals in 27 games.

After less than a season at The Showgrounds, where Amond helped the club to a cup double, the Carlow man departed for the Portugal top flight ahead in August 2010 - before the latter stages of the FAI Cup victory - signing for Paços de Ferreira.

But Amond was again on the move a year later, signing for Accrington Stanley, and then moving on to Morecambe in 2013, where he spent two seasons.

Amond produced a 30-goal season at Grimbsy in the 2015-2016 season to help the Mariners back into League 2, before moving on to Hartlepool.

A move to Wales and to Newport County would see the talismanic striker establish himself as a fine goalscorer over a five-year stint, which included some memorable FA Cup goals, including a fine effort in a defeat to Pep Guardiola's Manchested City.

That goalscoring form saw Amond called into the Ireland squad in 2019, however, he could not add a senior cap to his Under-21 appearances.

Amond departed Newport in 2022 and has spent time at Exeter, and more recently Woking, in the National League, before signing for Waterford.

"I’m delighted to have signed; delighted to be back home," said Amond, on the club website. "Looking forward to seeing what the year is going to be like, so I’m really pleased to be here – it’s a really exciting time.

"I think it’s quite a young squad, so I’m hoping I can use my experiences that I’ve had in my career so far to help those younger players and which in-turn will help the club as well. I’m