Athlone's Robbie Benson signs new contract with Dundalk FC

League of Ireland footballer Robbie Benson is preparing for his seventh season with Dundalk FC, after agreeing a new contract with the Lilywhites shortly before Christmas.

Robbie, a 31-year-old native of Mayfield Grove, Athlone, made 16 appearances for Dundalk during a 2023 campaign that was hampered by injury.

The midfielder signed his new deal with Dundalk on Friday, December 22, and told the club's official website that he was looking forward to the coming year.

"I'm as excited about next season as I was when I first signed for the club.

"We have a good core of players here and I'm sure the new faces that will come in over the next few weeks will add to that and help us be successful again," he said.

The former Marist College student played schoolboy football for St Francis and started his career in the league with his local club, Athlone Town. He then lined out for UCD from 2011 to 2015.

Former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny brought him to Dundalk ahead of the 2016 season, and he has played most of his football at Oriel Park since then, aside from two seasons with St Patrick's Athletic in 2020 and 2021.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com, the club's manager Stephen O'Donnell said: "Everyone knows what Robbie can do and he showed that towards the back end of last season, in particular.

"It's our job, and it's his job now, to ensure that he's available every Friday night. That's the main target we have for Robbie because there is no doubting his quality.

"After a difficult 18 months, he's very hungry to get going again so we just need to make sure he has a free run at the season."

Dundalk kick off their 2024 campaign away to four-in-a-row champions Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on February 16.