Jack Byrne is set to leave Shamrock Rovers and link up with former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy in Cyprus.

According to Daniel McDonnell of the Irish Independent, the 24-year-old Dublin native has flown to Cyprus and is in line to join APOEL Nicosia.

McCarthy joined APOEL, who sit ninth in the Cypriot First Division, last month.

Byrne was given his senior international debut by McCarthy back in 2019 and it's understood the club has offered him a two and a half year contract.

Byrne's contract with the Hoops has been up since their Extra.ie FAI Cup final loss to Dundalk at the beginning of December.

Stephen Bradley was keen to keep the creative midfielder in the fold but it seems he's been lured away with this interesting opportunity.

There was interest too in him from the UK and America.

Byrne has already spent spells of his career in the UK with clubs such as Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Wigan, and Kilmarnock.

He has been vocal about the homesickness he suffered while away and how difficult he found it to adapt to different areas and surroundings.

Perhaps a move to Cyprus might seem odd to many so but McCarthy, who Byrne would know well, has been hailed as a great man-manager in the past.

It's understood if the move goes ahead without any glitches Byrne could line out with his new club as early as January 5.