Dane Massey has taken a short hop down the M1 to find a new club. 

The left back has signed for Drogheda United, hours after confirming his departure from Dundalk.

Massey had spent eight seasons at Oriel Park, winning five SSE Airtricity Premier Division title and three FAI Cups.

Injury had prevented him from playing in Dundalk's second run in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.

He's the sixth new addition to Tim Clancy's Drogs squad, who are back in the top flight after three seasons in the First Division.

“Tim rang me over Christmas and has been in touch with me constantly over that period, I was really excited” Massey told Drogheda's website.

“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 aswell. It’s a new challenge for myself and I’m excited to get going.

“Everybody who knows me knows I’m a very ambitious person and with the squad Tim and Kevin are building we can definitely be competitive. With that squad, it’s well achievable I believe.

“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in now, as I said it’s a new challenge for myself. As far as Dundalk, I played eight years there, I’ve done my time and I really enjoyed it.

"This is a new challenge for me and my family and I’m going to take it head on."

Massey's now former head-coach Filippo Giovagnoli also paid tribute to his impact at Oriel Park, "He is a legend in Dundalk and in Ireland.

"I feel so bad that I could not use him at the end of the season because I know he worked so hard to get back from the injury. It is something that will always be on the dark side of my heart.

“The club is moving in a direction to try and bring younger players in and, unfortunately, it’s just part of the natural cycle of life but I respect Dane so much, he is a strong character, a strong player, a good man and I wish him the very best."

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