Corkman Kevin Long could be the latest former Ireland international making a League of Ireland return as top clubs mull over his availability.
The 35-year-old, who won 17 Ireland caps between 2017 and 2020, is a free agent after being released by his last club, MLS outfit Toronto.
Long was signed from Cork City by Burnley as a 19-year-old, remaining with the Clarets for 13 years to earn cult status among the fanbase.
First-team opportunities were limited, forcing him into various loan stints at Accrington Stanley (three times), Rochdale, Portsmouth, Barnsley (twice) and MK Dons.
He moved permanently to Birmingham City in January 2023, spending just over a year at the Championship club before being lured to Canada by former national team manager John Herdman.
Long appeared 50 times in Major League Soccer but hasn’t played since September when a hamstring injury curtailed his season. He wasn’t retained for the 2026 season.
It’s understood last season’s top three – Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, Shelbourne – are interested in acquiring the veteran as he looks to resettle in Ireland.
His former club Cork City is a natural link but their presence in the second tier and wage budget would be problematic.
