We are delighted to announce the signing of centre-back Hayden Cann on a permanent deal from Lincoln City.

The 20-year-old progressed through the academy at Lincoln and made his first-team debut for the Imps in October 2020 before going out on loan at Gainsborough Trinity and Peterborough Sports.

Cann spent the first six months of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season on loan at Drogheda United and scored the winner for the Boynesiders in the Louth Derby at Weaver’s Park in May.

“When I got the call about this transfer, I smiled because I played with Drogheda earlier in the season but I can’t wait to get going here at Dundalk,” he said.

“I had a few weeks off after my last game for Drogheda against Shamrock Rovers at the end of May and it has helped me. I’m feeling really good and I’m in a good frame of mind so I just want to hit the ground running at Oriel Park.

“I know the league so I just need to get to know the lads here a bit more and once I do, I’ll have no problems settling in. I’m pretty used to going into different change rooms so now it’s just about building relationships with the lads because the stronger the relationship, the better we’re going to play.”

Pending international clearance, Hayden will be eligible for Thursday’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division game against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, a game that is followed by back-to-back league and FAI Cup fixtures against the Drogs.

“The way the fixtures have fallen is just typical,” he laughed. “All we’re focused on is this week’s game in Tallaght first but the two derbies that follow that are going to be massive games and we need to make sure we get the three points from the first one and go through in the cup in the second.”

Cann, who will wear the number 38 shirt, is Lilywhites manager Jon Daly’s fifth new signing of the summer transfer window following the arrival of Scott McGill, Norman Garbett, Jad Hakiki and Bobby Faulkner.