Yadolahi confirms Drogheda departure

Neil Yadolahi has opted to leave Drogheda United during the summer transfer window in order to pursue options outside of Ireland, where the Dubliner has spent the bulk of his short career to date.

The 22 year old arrived at United Park from Armenian side FC Banants in the off-season but only managed five games for Johnny McDonnell's side before suffering a grade two quad tear which ruled him out for nearly three months. Yadolahi was an unused sub in the 1-1 draw with Derry City in Drogheda on June 12th, but the former Burnley man hasn't played first-team football since March.

Now, Yadolahi has revealed his decision to exercise an option in his contract which allows him to depart Drogheda in the face of concrete interest from abroad. The former Bohemians defender's only regret is that injury curtailed his involvement during his second stint in the League of Ireland, despite his best efforts during rehabilitation – including regular trips to the English FA's St. George's Park facility in Burton for treatment.

“Obviously the injury was unfortunate and it was never part of the plan,” admitted Yadolahi to Extratime.ie. “But part of the plan was always the option to go in the summer window, which was in my agreement from day one. All I have are good things to say about the League of Ireland and it has been frustrating on a personal note, the last couple of months with the injury, it has been very frustrating.

“The injury hampered that [playing time] a lot, which was unfortunate for the club, for myself personally and obviously for the fans as well. In one sense, I feel like I've let them down in a way, they've been great from day one and especially through the injury, I can't thank them enough. I've seen so many personal messages and the support from the club itself has been massive.

“It's been very difficult watching the team,” added Yadolahi, who is now finally back to full fitness after steadily building up his rehab to allow a smooth return to full-time training. “We had a run of bad results, but like I said, that's gone with now, that's done with. I've made a decision and the manager [McDonnell] understands everything and we've come to an agreement. I think things have been left on good terms. I suppose things probably just didn't work out, mainly due to the injury.

“Sometimes you have to make a decision. Whether it's the right one or the wrong one, we'll see.”

Yadolahi has had already had spells in England, Scotland, Ireland, Turkey and Armenia during his career to date, and he readily acknowledged that these experiences were “mainly negative.” However, he believes that “only time will tell” whether or not his latest adventure will be a success and is banking on past experiences to help him figure out his next destination.

“I've not had the luck the past two or three years in the moves I've made, it had a negative effect more than a positive effect,” admitted Yadolahi. “I suppose, you can even count Drogheda in there in terms of injury, that was a massive blow personally. I feel like I had a lot more to offer in my time there and unfortunately injury kind of killed that.

“In terms of going forward from this, I'm sitting down and looking at things now. I don't want to fall into any traps before I go to another club. That's the big thing with moving abroad, especially the run of luck I've had in the last couple of years hasn't been great, so it's something I'm going to seriously take into consideration and, like I say, we'll see how things go from there.

“That's football, it's something I'm kind of used to in a way now, in terms of bad luck, moves and decision-making,” added Yadolahi. “Football's a cruel game, and when you've had the experience I've had, certainly, you do feel the pain of football and how bad it can be. How much it can actually change in a matter of days, seconds even – it's just football, one day can be good, the next can be bad. It's something I'm well used to now, with the experiences I've had.”