Glentoran Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of prolific striker Pat Hoban from League of Ireland side Derry City for an undisclosed fee.

The 33-year-old forward, widely regarded as one of the most consistent goalscorers in the League of Ireland over the past decade, has signed a two-year contract at the BetMcLean Oval.

Hoban arrives at the BetMcLean Oval with an outstanding goalscoring pedigree, having netted over 200 senior career goals during spells with Mervue United, Dundalk, Oxford United, Mansfield Town and, most recently, Derry City.

The Galway native is Dundalk’s all-time record goalscorer with 150 goals across two spells at the club, leading the line as the Lilywhites clinched League of Ireland Premier Division titles in 2014, 2018 and 2019.

He continued that form at the Ryan McBride Brandywell, finishing as joint top scorer in the League of Ireland Premier Division last season with 14 goals in his debut campaign for Derry City. This season he made eight appearances and scored once for the Candystripes.

Discussing his transfer to the BetMcLean Oval, Pat Hoban said: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for Glentoran. As soon as I spoke with Declan and Paul, I knew it was the right move and I didn’t need any convincing. This is a massive club, one of the biggest north or south, and I want to play my part in bringing success back to the BetMcLean Oval.

“I’ve faced Declan’s teams many times over the years, so I know exactly how he likes his sides to play. I also know Paddy McCourt well and a number of the lads here, including Ciaran and Shane, so it already feels like a great fit.

“There’s real quality in the squad and a fantastic coaching team behind it. The standards around the club are first class and the environment that Declan and his staff have built is one of the best I’ve seen. I’m excited to get started and be part of it every day.

“I’ve come here to work hard, earn my place and do what I’ve built my career on – scoring goals. My aim is to hit the ground running, help the team start strong and contribute right through the season as we push for trophies. I’ve heard so much about the Glens supporters and I can’t wait to pull on the shirt and give everything I have for the club.”

Declan Devine, First Team Manager at Glentoran, said: “Pat Hoban is a proven goalscorer and someone I’ve admired for a long time. I’ve come up against him plenty of times and know firsthand the impact he can have. To now have someone of his quality in our squad is a real asset.

“As soon as we knew there was a chance to bring him here, he became our top priority. We were well aware of the strong interest from clubs across the League of Ireland, so to secure his signature is a major coup and a clear statement of where we want to go as a club.

“His goalscoring record speaks for itself, but it is also the standards he sets, the experience he brings, and the hunger he still has to compete and win that make him such an important addition. He is sharp, motivated and arriving with a real point to prove and that will only raise the levels around him.

“With the creativity we’ve added this summer in Liam Burt and Jordan Stewart, alongside the creative quality already here in Joe Thomson and Charlie Lindsay, we wanted a forward with Pat’s instinct and pedigree. He complements our existing options superbly and gives us real variety and depth in the final third. I know our supporters will love what he brings to this club.”

The arrival of Hoban follows the high-profile signings of influential Scottish midfielder Liam Burt and returning academy graduate Jordan Stewart as Glentoran continues to shape its squad ahead of the 2025/26 Sports Direct Premiership campaign.

The club has also acted decisively to retain key players over the summer, securing new contracts for club captain Marcus Kane, midfielders Josh Kelly and Charlie Lindsay and last season’s top goalscorer, Jordan Jenkins.

A number of talented academy prospects have also committed their futures to Glentoran, including Jude Johnson, Ciaran Rogers Duffy and Cal Weatherup, who have signed their first professional contracts.

Paul Millar, Sporting Director at Glentoran, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to bring Pat Hoban to Glentoran. He has been one of the most consistent and prolific goalscorers in the League of Ireland for more than a decade, so to secure his signing, particularly given the level of interest from clubs north and south, is a major coup for the club.

“He is exactly the type of player Glentoran should be attracting – a proven winner, a record goalscorer and someone who leads by example both on and off the pitch. From our first conversation, it was clear he had a real hunger to come here and be part of what we are building.

“He understands the ambition we have as a club and wants to contribute to a dressing room already full of quality and competition. He will give us another dimension in the final third and we are excited to see the impact he can make.

“I would like to thank Derry City for their cooperation in making the negotiations as smooth as possible. I would also like to thank our owner Ali Pour for his continued support and ambition. His backing has been instrumental in allowing us to make signings of this stature as we continue to build a squad capable of competing for major honours.”