Dane Massey leaves Dundalk with 'very heavy heart'

Dane Massey ends 8 year spell with Dundalk

After leaving Dundalk, Dane Massey has joined Co Louth rivals Drogheda United. 

Massey says he will "cherish the memories" of his time at Dundalk after confirming his departure from the club.

The 32-year-old defender, who joined from Bray Wanderers in 2012, has been an integral figure during a golden spell.

Massey credited Drogheda boss Tim Clancy with convincing him to join the Lilywhites' local rivals.

"Tim rang me over Christmas and has been in touch with me constantly over that period, I was really excited," Massey said.

"Tim has been telling me about the great goings on in the club and the young players there, lot of local young lads there who have great potential as well. It's a new challenge for myself and I’m excited to get going."

Massey won five Premier Division titles, three FAI Cups and three League Cups while also participated in two Europa League group stage campaigns in 2016 and 2020.

"It is with a very heavy heart that I say I will not be returning to returning to Dundalk FC this season," Massey said in a statement released on social media.

"I have spent the last eight years there and have had such an incredible experience. I never thought when I signed for Dundalk that it would take me on the ride of a lifetime.

"I would like to thank all the players and staff who I have played and worked with over the years, and also to the amazing fans for welcoming me and my family to the club. I'll cherish the memories."

Meanwhile the Lilywhites have this morning confirmed the signing of Latvian international defender Raivis Andris Jurkovskis. The 24-year-old, who has won 13 caps for his country, arrives on a free transfer after his contract expired at FK Liepaja.

“Raivis can play at full-back, on either side,” said Lilywhites head coach Filippo Giovagnoli. “He is a really good player, strong, fast and physical. He is considered as one of the best players in Latvia and when we started to watch him, we had no doubt he was the player for us.” 

Jurkovskis was handed his senior debut for FK Liepaja as an 18-year-old in March 2015 and went on to make 13 more appearances that season as the club won the Latvian Virsliga title for the first time.

He has won 13 caps for Latvia, the last coming in a 5-0 win over Andorra in a UEFA Nations League game which was played at the Estadi Comunal d’Andorra la Vella – the venue where Dundalk beat Inter-Club Escaldes in the UEFA Europa League qualifier last September.