Former Rovers defender Greg Cunningham has joined League of Ireland club Galway United following his departure from Preston North End.

Cunningham, who had a loan spell at Ewood Park in 2019/20, was released by North End earlier this summer.

The 33-year-old is excited to be back in Ireland and hopes his experience will benefit the young players at Galway.

“It means a lot, I’ve been away for so long. It’s very pleasing to be back home and to play for my hometown club,” he told the official club channels.

“I will give it everything I got and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead. I am really looking forward to getting down here to Eamonn Deacy Park.

“I’ve been watching the games and always kept an eye on how Galway have been doing. It’s an exciting time for the club.

“The fans have been the 12th man for the club, very vocal and passionate. In general, I have always given everything every time I’m on the pitch.

“I think I understand the game quite well so I will just try to give everything to the club, express my experience to the boys and showcase that on the pitch.

“It is really important to help the younger players as much as I can, trying to improve everyone as you go along.”

Cunningham headed to England at 16 to sign for Manchester City and made five senior appearances for the Premier League side.

The defender went on to have spells with Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Cardiff as well as a couple of stints at Deepdale.

Cunningham was meant to spent the entire 2019/20 campaign at Rovers but his loan was cut short after suffering a serious knee injury.

He has also represented the Republic of Ireland on the international stage, winning his first cap in 2010.

Galway currently sit fifth in the League of Ireland table, having taken 34 points from 23 games so far this season.