ST PAT’S have brought goalkeeper Joseph Anang back to the club on a permanent basis.
Anang – who is leaving West Ham after seven years – enjoyed an impressive loan stint at Richmond Park in 2022, keeping 12 clean sheets in 30 appearances.
It ended on a sour note with then boss Tim Clancy accusing him of refusing to travel for a Europa Conference League game against CSKA Sofia unless he was allowed to cut short his stay.
That was to facilitate a loan move to Derby County, although he never played for the club after suffering a fracture to his arm shortly after joining.
But Stephen Kenny is delighted to have the Ghanaian-born net-minder – capped once by England at Under-20 level – back in Inchicore.
Kenny said: “Joseph is a goalkeeper with quite a high ceiling, he had a successful spell here two years ago and subsequently has had two years day in day out with West Ham’s first team, training at a very high level alongside two senior international goalkeepers.
“The level he’s been training at will really have helped his development.
“I feel he’s coming back to St Pat’s a better goalkeeper, at 24 years of age, his best years are all ahead of him.
“The thing that struck me about Joseph from speaking to him on zoom when he was at home visiting Ghana, was his sheer enthusiasm and determination to re-join St Pat’s, to play games and continue to improve.
“He has a passion for the club and he is an excellent signing.
“Joe is my first signing since I joined the club as Manager and I feel he’ll be an excellent addition to St Patrick’s Athletic over the next few seasons and we’re forward to him joining up with the group next week.”
Anang will be eligible to play from July 1. He added: “It’s very good be back at the club.
“St Pat’s is where I played most of my senior games, I feel I played my best football at Pat’s during my loan in 2022, I really enjoyed my time here so I’m very excited.
“The move came about very naturally, I always kept in touch with Pat Jennings after I left, having chats back and forth. So as soon he heard that I was available, he got back in touch,
“Stephen told me about his plans for me and the style of play he wants to implement, I feel I’ll fit into that and I really bought into what his plans are.
“I also want to speak about the St Patrick’s Athletic supporters, they showed me a lot of love when I first came to the club two years ago, so with that factored into my decision too, coming back was a no-brainer really.”