I'm not here for the money - O'Brien
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Declan O'Brien has not signed for Premier Division newcomers Dundalk because of the wages on offer at Oriel Park, according to the player himself and his new manager Sean Connor.
O'Brien completed his move to the Lilywhites on Thursday evening after spending nearly seven years with bitter rivals Drogheda United, where he won a Premier Division title and an FAI Cup.
However, the 29-year-old claims money is the last thing on his mind despite a healthy salary likely to have been agreed as Dundalk switch to a full-time set-up. "It certainly is not a financial move," O'Brien stated after being unveiled yesterday alongside new assistant manager, ex-Celtic star Joe Miller. "It's purely football. I just want to play football and score goals," he added.
"It's good that there are people still in the game that will move for football reasons," said Connor as he backed up his new striker. "Joe (Miller) could have earned much more money by staying in Scotland. Same with Declan; he is here purely for the football."
O'Brien has experienced a trying time recently as he has spent most of the last two seasons on the treatment table battling against injury after injury. However, the former Drogheda captain is hopeful that those worries are now behind him. "I have no fitness problems and hope that any problems in that regard are over," he said.
The Dubliner becomes the third striker on the books of Dundalk ahead of their return to the top flight, as he joins Darren Mansaram and Tiarnan Mulvenna in Connor's squad, with one more front man likely to follow ahead of the league kick-off in early March.
