Bayly set to move North and join Cliftonville

Robert Bayly is set for his first spell in the Danske Bank Premiership with Cliftonville confirming the signing of the 26-year-old midfielder from Shamrock Rovers.

Bayly's arrival at Solitude will come as a surprise to observers both sides of the border given that the former Cherry Orchard schoolboy has been heavily linked with a move to the Reds' arch rivals Linfield since the beginning of the current League of Ireland close season period.

Had he joined the Windsor Park outfit, the Ballyfermot man would have become the second member of his family to do so after his uncle Martin briefly played for the Blues in the early '90s.

Bayly joins Cliftonville following a second season long stint at Tallaght Stadium having previously lined out for the Hoops in their 2010 league winning campaign. The ex-Republic of Ireland youth international made twenty-one appearances for Rovers last term and will add extra bite to Tommy Breslin's side's midfield as they seek to bridge a seven point gap on league leaders Crusaders in a bid to secure an historic third title in a row.

In addition to Shamrock Rovers, Bayly has also been on the books of Sporting Fingal, Bohemians, Monaghan United, Longford Town and Shelbourne following a period cross-channel with Leeds United which ended in 2008. Whilst at Elland Road, Bayly gained notoriety after being sent-off on his league debut for an attempted headbutt on Derby County's Craig Fagan.

In moving north, the 2009 FAI Cup winner will compete with former Hoop Barry Johnstone for a place in the Belfast side's midfield while also becoming the seventh player to depart Tallaght ahead of the forthcoming season in a list that includes Jason McGuinness and Ciaran Kilduff (St. Patrick's Athletic), Karl Sheppard (Cork City), Dean Kelly (Bohemians), Eamon Zayed (Sabah FA) and Ronan Finn (Dundalk).