Former Leeds United player signs for Bohemians UPDATED

The Irish Sun is reporting the former Leeds United Academy player Eoghan Stokes is set to sign for Dublin team Bohemians after playing in a friendly match with fierce Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers last week. Stokes is currently a free agent after having his contract terminated by mutual consent earlier this month.

It appears that Stokes will sign with Bohemians, despite playing with Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers last week in a friendly match against Brentford B last week. The young Irish attacker apparently has decided that going to city rivals Bohemians will result in a better chance at first team football, despite the chances at silverware being more likely with Rovers than with Bohemians.

The decision by Stokes to choose Bohemians over Rovers is sure to add a little more tension to the upcoming Dublin derby this Friday. Rovers and Bohemians will face off at Dalymount Park, home of Bohemians, in the opening match of the league season in the Republic of Ireland.

Leeds have signed a number of youth players this season, and the recent additions of Ryan Edmundson from York City and Sam Dalby from Leyton Orient had apparently moved ahead of Stokes in the depth chart in the Leeds Academy. The increased emphasis on youth under new owner Andrea Radrizzani has seen a huge influx of youth players, and with the influx, some other players have been moved out. The McKay brothers were released from their contracts earlier this season as well.

Stokes had joined Leeds from St Kevins Boys in Dublin back in 2012, so it’s not a surprise to see him return to Dublin to continue his career. Here’s hoping that Stokes is able get regular first team football and have a decent career back in Ireland after it didn’t work out for him at Leeds.

UPDATED: It’s official. Stokes has signed for Bohemians.