General
- Tuesday October 29th, 2024 @ 14:40
Anto Breslin Signs Long Term Contract Extension
St Patrick's Athletic are pleased to confirm that Anto Breslin has signed a new long term contract.
Breslin joined The Saints in December 2021, following two seasons with Dublin rivals Bohemians, signing a multi-year contract at Richmond Park ahead of the 2022 campaign.
The 27-year-old has played 119 times for St Pat's, 97 of those in the league, and has scored three goals so far.
He was part of our 2023 Sports Direct FAI Cup winning squad, and was one of the stars of our European run earlier this summer.
Today's announcement follows last week's new contract for Goalkeeper Danny Rogers.
Former Wolves defender Breslin spoke to our Youtube channel on Tuesday morning, shortly after putting pen to paper on his new deal, you can watch the full 10-minute interview below.
Breslin said: "I'm extremely happy to get things done and to have the new contract over the line, and I'm looking forward to the last game of the season in Sligo on Friday.
It was an easy decision for me (to sign the new contract), the talks happened really quickly and we got everything done.
It's an exciting time to be at the club, we've been on a great run, I think the Gaffer (Stephen Kenny) is really going to drive things on and it's something I want to be a part of.
I want to be a successful as I can at the club, I want to win trophies, Leagues and Cups, and I think we are going in the right direction, I think we have the squad to do it, I think we have the Manager and the staff to do it, and I think everything is looking really good for the club at the minute and we want to keep that going."
Manager Stephen Kenny has been telling our website about today's news:
"We are delighted that Anto has signed a new contract to remain with St Patrick's Athletic.
The beauty of Anto is that he can attack and defend. One the one hand, he brings tenacity and instinct to his defending, whilst also being a raider on the left-wing, often injecting pace into our attacks and linking well with his left winger.
He has an excellent range of passing, and overall is a brilliant competitor and hopefully he can help bring success in the years ahead."
Director of Football Ger O'Brien added:"We are thrilled that Anto has committed his long term future to the club, he has been fantastic since joining us at the start of the 2022 season.
He has been one of the best left back's in the League for the last number of years and his professionalism and leadership skills around the dressing room and around the club are evident for everyone to see, and we're really looking forward to Anto playing a key part for the club over the next number of seasons."
In the current squad, only Chris Forrester, Jamie Lennon and Jay McClelland have made more appearances for St Pat's than Breso (119 apps)
Breslin started all 36 league games last season (2023), and was the only player at St Pat's and the only outfield player in the LOI Premier Division to have started every league match, he played the full 90 minutes in 34 of them, playing 3,191 league minutes in total.
Breslin made his 100th appearance for the club in the 1-0 defeat to Derry on May 17th and started his 62nd match in a row against Shelbourne three days later, he picked up a first-half injury in that match, ending that incredible run of starts in a row, before returning to action against Bohemians on June 28th after the summer break.
Anto, who is from Blanchardstown, joined Wolverhampton Wanderers from St Kevin's Boys in 2013, he would go on to spend six seasons in the UK in the Wolves Academy.
He returned to Ireland and signed for Longford Town for the 2019 League of Ireland season, helping 'The Town' finish third in the First Division. He departed Bishopsgate to join Bohs in 2020.
The left-back has been capped by Ireland at U15, U16, U17, U18 and U19 and away from the pitch, he recently completed his UEFA B Coaching Licence.
