CORK CITY HAVE announced the signing of highly-rated centre back Sean McLoughlin, with the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division leaders beating off competition from England and Scotland to secure his signature.

Sean McLoughlin with John Caulfield. Source: Cork City

McLoughlin moves to Turner’s Cross on an 18-month contract following a hugely successful spell with UCC where he was part of the team which won both the Munster Senior League and Collingwood Cup.

City manager John Caulfield said he was delighted to secure the services of the defender after he had received offers from a League One and SPL club.

“We have been monitoring Sean for a while and we are delighted to get him, because he had an offer from an SPL club and a League One club as well,” Caulfield said.

“After speaking to him over the last few weeks and having had him in training, he has signed for a year and a half.”

“He can play left back or left centre back and he is very good on the ball. He is a guy who has come through UCC, who have done very well over the last few years. It is a big step up but he has done well in training.

“He is getting used to it and we see him as player who can step up to the mark very quickly, so we have high hopes for him.”

McLoughlin’s arrival follows that of his former UCC team-mate Sean O’Mahony, who put pen-to-paper on a deal with Cork at the start of the month.

“I am obviously delighted to be here. It will be a step up coming from UCC, but I am looking forward to the challenge,” McLoughlin added.

“City have been excellent this year, and hopefully I can fit in well. It will take a lot of hard work but I am looking forward to it.”

“Training has been good; it’s been tough and I need to get up to the pace, but that will come. I need to put in the hard work and get as many games as I can.”

In his final game for UCC, McLoughlin scored a dramatic late winner against Cobh Wanderers to clinch the Munster Senior League title for Noel Healy’s side.

The goal that sealed the title for @UCCSoccer. What a finish by Sean McLoughlin! pic.twitter.com/SynuDdtc40 — Cork's RedFM Sport (@BigRedBench) May 30, 2017

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