Cork City sign striker Hans Mpongo from Finn Harps as Sean Murray cancels contract

Murray made 60 appearances during his time at City but on Tuesday it was announced that he had agreed to cancel his multi-year deal for family reasons.

HEADING HOME: Sean Murray has left Cork City. Pic: Moya Nolan.

Cork City have reached an agreement with Finn Harps for the transfer of Dutch forward Hans Mpongo while midfielder Sean Murray has also confirmed he has left the club.

Murray initially joined the Rebel Army on-loan from Glentoran at the beginning of 2024, before making his move permanent the following summer.

The 32-year-old made 60 appearances during his time at City but on Tuesday it was announced that he had agreed to cancel his multi-year deal for family reasons.

“I would like to thank everyone at City for making me so welcome,” Murray told the club’s official website.

“I have really enjoyed my two seasons with the club, albeit I was disappointed in how last season ended.

“From my point of view, I have a young family and they are still based in Belfast, so being away from them as much as I have been was getting harder and harder, so I think this is the right thing to do at this time.

“The fans were brilliant with me throughout my time at the club, along with the players, the staff and everyone around the club.

“It’s a great club with great people involved and I have no doubt that they will bounce back. I wish City every success for the future.”

City manager Gerard Nash added: “Muzz is a good player, a good professional and a really good person.

“He was a very positive influence in the dressing room since I have been at the club, but we understand his reasons for wanting to move on so he can spend more time with his family.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to thank him for his contribution to the club and wish him the very best for the future.”

Meanwhile Mpongo, a former Brentford B & NAC Breda striker, arrives on Leeside following half a season in Ballybofey, where he scored 8 goals in 15 games since his arrival last July.

“I am really, really happy. I’m really excited, and I honestly can’t wait to get started,” said the 22-year-old.

“Cork City is a huge club with a huge fanbase, and I really can’t wait to play in front of the fans and to do well for the team.

“My goal is to continue on the form I had at Finn Harps, and with every ability I have within myself, bring that to this team to help get the club back where it belongs.”

Speaking about his new addition, Nash admitted: “I’m really pleased to have Hans on board ahead of the new season.

“He’s a player that we have been watching for a while since we were impressed by him in the build up to when he featured against us last season.

“We identified Hans as someone that we wanted to recruit, and I am very thankful to the owner for his backing and agreeing a deal to get him here.

“He is a good age, has League of Ireland experience, and has signed a two-year deal at the club which protects us too, something important for the club’s future.

“He trained with the squad today and is integrating well, so we’re looking forward to seeing more of him as we continue our pre-season preparations.

“Along with having a good number of players under contract from last season, we have now added Niall O’Keeffe and Hans to the group.

“We are still in discussions with a number of players, but we are happy that we have some very good players under contract and already in the building.”