Paddy McCourt is returning home.
The fan-favourite Derryman has called time on his spell with Luton Town after asking the club to terminate his contract.
McCourt had 12 months left on his deal but requested to be let go so that he could be closer to his family during a period of personal issues.
The former Celtic and Barnsley winger has been away from Northern Ireland since his move from Derry to Parkhead in 2008.
And while there hasn’t been much talk from Derry City manager Kenny Shiels about signing up one of the club’s greatest ever talents, it may be a possibility as McCourt has made it clear that he doesn’t plan on retiring.
Luton manager Nathan Jones said: “Paddy has had to face up to some personal problems in recent weeks and at the end of the season he came to me about his future and it was soon clear to me that he wanted to return to Northern Ireland to be closer to his family and to play there again.
“It wasn’t a straightforward decision for me – Paddy has done well for us, but in the end we reached an agreement and he goes with my blessing.”
McCourt has 18 Northern Ireland caps to his name but hasn’t been named in Michael O’Neill’s provisional Euro 2016 squad.
