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Football

10th Jul 2018

Anthony Stokes could be about to sign for Shamrock Rovers

Robert Redmond

Shamrock Rovers are reportedly trying to sign him.

Anthony Stokes has been linked with a return to Dublin to join League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers. According to Owen Cowzer of The Irish Sun, Rovers have made a move to sign the 29-year-old former Celtic striker and hope to convince him to join during this month’s transfer window.

Stokes has been a without a club since leaving Apollon Smyrni back in April. The former Republic of Ireland striker joined the Greek side as a free agent in February, after having his contract with Hibernian terminated in January. He only played four games for Apollon and had his contract terminated after he reportedly failed to turn up to training. According to The Irish Sun, he has been training with St Mirren in Scotland, but Rovers are hoping he will be tempted by the chance to return home.

Stokes was once one of the brightest prospects in Irish football. He joined Arsenal as a 15-year-old and excelled on-loan at Falkirk. A move to Sunderland when Roy Keane was manager didn’t work out, but Stokes followed that with productive spells at Hibernian and Celtic. He joined Blackburn Rovers on a two-year deal in June 2016, but had his contract terminated a year later.

Stokes played nine times for Ireland, but hasn’t featured for the national team since making an appearance against the United States in 2014.

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