Irish striker Eoin Doyle moves from Chesterfield to Cardiff City

Eoin Doyle's future was finally resolved last night when the Irish striker, who has scored 25 goals in all competitions for League One outfit Chesterfield this season, signed a 2½-year deal with Championship side Cardiff.

The 26-year-old endured a hectic day that started out with a move to either Sheffield United or Preston North End looking to be his best-case scenario.

However over the following hours his likely destination changed several times, and there was brief interest from Premier League side West Brom before City agreed a fee of around €1.25 million plus some potential add-ons for the Dubliner.

After spells in the SPL with Hibernian as well as Leagues Two and One with Chesterfield, he will now be available to make his Championship debut against Sheffield Wednesday this weekend when Cardiff will be aiming to end a run of four straight defeats.

Wicklow man

Earlier in the day

Paul Heffernan

returned to the SPL, with the Wicklow man signing for Dundee after having had his contract at Hibernian ended by mutual consent.

The 33-year-old striker had fallen out of favour under manager Alan Stubbs who, having left him on the sidelines since before Christmas, had told him he was free to go.

Heffernan previously had spells at Notts County, Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday and Kilmarnock, where he won a League cup.

Two clubs

Michael Duffy’s move from

Derry City

to

Celtic

dragged out yesterday despite the two clubs having agreed a fee believed to be in the region of €300,000.

Young defender Eoghan O’Connell signed a new two-year deal with the SPL leaders. “I’ve made a few appearances this year,” said the 19-year-old from Cork, “which has been good, but I’m not taking anything for granted. I will be working away as always, and this contract is just another stepping stone I have to use to get better and where I need to be.”

Kevin Doyle is said to have passed on interest from a number of clubs during the lead-up to the deadline in order to stay at Wolves for family reasons.

The possibility of a move for the striker, who recently returned to the English midlands after a loan spell at Crystal Palace, will not be completely shut off between now and the end of the season but it seems likely now that he will simply see out what remains of his current deal before looking to make a fresh start.