James McClean leaves Derry City by mutual consent before FAI Cup final

James McClean and Derry City ended his contract by mutual consent on Wednesday, 28 October, with immediate effect, according to BBC Sport and RTÉ Sport. The departure ends the former Republic of Ireland winger's second spell at his hometown club before Derry play Waterford in the FAI Cup final on 8 November.

McClean, 37, had not played for Derry since July. Former Derry striker Liam Coyle told BBC Sport the exit did not come as ‘any real surprise’ and said the decision suited both parties as the club prepared for the final.

How the contract dispute developed

McClean described his time away from the squad as ‘one of the most difficult periods of my life, personally and professionally’, according to RTÉ. The precise circumstances behind the breakdown have not been established publicly; Coyle said he was not privy to what had happened.

In a joint statement reported by BBC Sport, the club and player said they were ‘satisfied with the outcome and are pleased to move forward constructively’. McClean said his return had not worked out as he had hoped, thanked Derry's supporters and wished the team well in the cup final, according to RTÉ.

Derry City's cup final without McClean

Derry chairman Philip O'Doherty thanked McClean for his dedication to the club and acknowledged his 103 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland. The chairman said neither the club nor McClean would comment further on the matter, RTÉ reported.

Derry have secured a top-half finish in the League of Ireland Premier Division and will have a chance to qualify for Europe when they face Waterford at Aviva Stadium on 8 November. McClean told RTÉ Radio 1's Inside Sport on Tuesday, before the contract announcement, that he had ‘no interest’ in attending the match.