Former Ireland international Maguire returns to Cork City

Former Republic of Ireland international Sean Maguire has returned to Cork City in a major coup for the Leesiders.

The 30-year-old scored over 50 goals for the club in a 18-month spell with the Rebels in 2016 and 2017, before departing to join Preston North End in July 2017.

Maguire has played over 200 games in England, as well as gaining 11 senior caps with Ireland

He returns to the club on a multi-year contract.

Maguire is expected to link up with Tim Clancy's squad in the coming days. He was released from Carlisle United in League 1 at the end of the last English season.

City are closing on an immediate return to the top flight with a 15-point advantage at the top of the First Division.

It means City have signed their two of their most successful strikers of the last decade in this window following the capture of Ruairi Keating from St Patrick's Athletic.

Maguire said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be coming back to City. I had such an amazing spell at the club here before going to Preston and I have always wanted to come back.

"I've been speaking with the club over the last few weeks, and I have been really impressed by the plans the club has to build towards getting back to where a club of this size should be.

"There are some really good players at the club, some really exciting young players, and I hope that I can use my experience to help them to achieve their potential.

"I have been watching things at the club over the last few years and was really disappointed to see the club down in the First Division, but I know that the club has the ambition to be a force in the Premier Division again and I feel like I can make a big contribution to that.

"Obviously, the team have got themselves into a really good position in the league,