Shamrock Rovers secure midfield duo

Shamrock Rovers boss Trevor Croly has announced two further additions to his squad, with Stephen Rice re-signing and Shane Robinson returning from Finnish club FC Haka, both on one-year deals.

The midfielders have become Croly's fifth and sixth captures, following on from Sligo duo Jason McGuinness and Mark Quigley, along with St Pat's players James Chambers and Sean O'Connor.

Rice is Rovers' longest serving player having joined from Bohemians in early 2008.

Commenting on re-signing, he said: “As far as I was concerned I was never going anywhere else. Trevor spoke to me and told me I was part of his plans for next season and I was delighted to sign back up. I’m can’t wait for the new season to get started, so we can put last year behind us and get back to successful ways."

Robinson, meanwhile returns to the Hoops having spent two seasons as captain of FC Haka in the Finnish league, where he picked up the Player of the Year award in both seasons.

It is Robinson’s third spell at Rovers having played for Rovers from 1999 to 2004.  He subsequently had a highly successful time with Drogheda United where he won the league title, FAI Cup and two Setanta Sports Cups.  Robinson’s first return to Rovers was in 2009 when Michael O’Neill signed the man from Waterford.

Robinson was club captain that season, leading the Rovers team out for the first ever game in Tallaght.  

Croly was assistant manager at Rovers at the time and the pair also played together for two seasons with Rovers beginning in 2003.

The midfielder was released at the end of the 2009 season by Rovers and spent time in Australia playing with Stirling Lions in the division below the Australian A League before going to Haka.

His teammate in Finland, Shane McFaul, joined St Patrick's Athletic last night.

“It’s a privilege to be coming back to Shamrock Rovers. When I left the last time, I would never have seen this happening. I enjoyed my time away but I’m looking forward to being back in the league and to working with Trevor again.”