Scottish club Hearts have signed Aaron McEneff from Shamrock Rovers in a deal worth €180,000.
The Edinburgh club is 12 points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship, and they will hope McEneff gives their bid to return to the top flight a boost.
The midfielder, 26, was also a target for a number of English clubs but Hearts won the race to sign him.
McEneff was one of the key men for Rovers last season as they claimed the League of Ireland Premier Division title.
The Derry native was also called into Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland squad before the clash against Bulgaria in November.
McEneff thanked Rovers manager Stephen Bradley for being a “huge influence on my career and on my life”.
He said: “I am 26 years old this summer and I felt it was time for me to test myself at a higher level so when the opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in Scotland came about it was a chance that really excited me.”
