Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Nicky Colgan is hoping the transfer window offers him a way out of the shadows at Championship side Barnsley where he has become increasingly peripheral under manager Simon Davey who yesterday confirmed the Irishman's availability on a free transfer.
Colgan has been trying to engineer a move from the club since early in the season, but has been frustrated as several offers were turned down including a loan move to Brighton in November. He says he will consider a move to pretty much anywhere if it means the chance to be meaningfully involved with a first-team squad again.
"I've been talking to a lad I met in the United States when Ireland were there in May about the possibility of a move out there, but I'd consider Canada, Europe, Australia, anywhere really if the club were serious about wanting me," says the 34 year-old.
"I firmly believe I've still got a hell of a lot to offer as a goalkeeper and I desperately want first-team football again but . . . I'd happily settle for the chance to be part of a squad where I had a real chance of scrapping it out with someone for my place."
Colgan previously missed out on the chance to even talk to Luton Town and Yeovil about their interest, but he is hopeful his continued availability on a free transfer will attract further offers over the coming weeks. Having played more than 100 games for Barnsley and been a regular as they secured promotion from League One in 2006, he believes he has the ability to make it at another Championship side.
"It's a division I'm comfortable I can play in," he says, "but League One is a decent enough standard too and, like I say, I'm keen to listen to offers. If none comes from a club in this league then I'll happily look further afield."
Having filled in for Alan Kelly as goalkeeping coach for the Ireland team on a number of occasions this year and earned all of his coaching badges, Colgan is keen to work in that area too, but is anxious not to give up on playing too soon.
"I don't know who the new Ireland manager will be, but whoever it is I'd love to be considered for the role of goalkeeping coach on a long-term basis. I do want to keep playing, though. Personally, I reckon I could go on until I'm 40 - I'm fitter now than I was when I was 24, I certainly look after myself a lot better - maybe combining a bit of coaching with playing along the way.
"But to do that you need somebody to sign you and give you the chance to play. All I can do is hope that something happens on that front over the next couple of weeks."
Meanwhile, Jason Byrne will report for pre-season training with Bohemians next week after completing his move from Cardiff City to the Dublin club yesterday.
The free transfer had been held up briefly by concerns on Monday night regarding a minor hamstring injury that the striker has been carrying in recent weeks, but a scan yesterday morning showed no lasting damage and Byrne signed a three-year contract late yesterday afternoon.
The 29-year-old returns to Irish club football after a year with Cardiff where he made just 10 first-team appearances. The Dubliner turned down offers from Kilmarnock and Dundee in order to link up again with former boss Pat Fenlon.
