Dundalk complete signing of First Division top scorer Georgie Kelly from UCD

Dundalk have bolstered their attacking options further with the signing of striker Georgie Kelly from First Division UCD until the end of 2020.

Kelly is the Lilywhites’ second new arrival of the day, the club having earlier confirmed that Patrick McEleney had signed a three-and-a-half-year deal on his return from Oldham Athletic.

The Donegal native began his career with Derry City before moving to UCD, where the current First Division’s top scorer bagged 37 goals in 68 appearances since joining the Students in 2016.

The 21-year-old finished top scorer in the First Division in 2017 with 17 goals and has scored 14 so far this season, with a third of the season still to play.

“will be my first real go at Premier Division football,” the former Derry City player told the club’s official website.

“I have spent most of the time in the First Division with UCD so this will be a new experience for me It is one I am looking forward to though.

“I am here to do the best that I can. Pat Hoban has been flying and there’s a lot of goals in the team already.

“I want to bring my own form to that and score as many as I can. I am here to work hard and I can’t wait to get involved for Dundalk. There’s a lot to look forward to here.

“There was a lot of reasons for me wanting to come here and it’s the chance to win trophies and we have Europe around the corner.

“I can’t wait for that. It is exciting and being around a winning team is where I want to be.

He added: “It was too good an opportunity to turn down for me. I have come here to try and win trophies. That has to be the ambition coming to the likes of Dundalk.

“There’s a culture here of winning, especially over the last couple of years. Winning leagues, winning cups and progressing in Europe. I want to be a part of that and I can’t wait to get started.”

Kelly and McEleney could both go straight into the matchday squad for Friday night’s trip to St Patrick’s Athletic as Dundalk look to maintain their two-point advantage at the top of the table.