Former Ireland youth player returning home decade after Buncrana family tragedy

The Derry man is coming back.

Josh Daniels is returning to Ireland after playing in the UK since 2020, first with Shrewsbury Town in League One before moving to Cymru Premier side TNS.

The 29-year-old played for Northern Ireland at youth level but switched allegiances to the Republic of Ireland for U21s.

The Belfast Telegraph have reported that his home club Derry are 'in the mix' to re-sign him, while other League of Ireland and Irish League sides will be interested in his signature.

Daniels tragically lost his mother Ruth, younger sister Jodie-Lee, his sister Louise James's partner Sean, and his two nephews Mark and Evan in the Buncrana tragedy in 2016, when their car went into the water at Lough Swilly after slipping down the pier.

Speaking with the Belfast Telegraph about returning home, Daniels said: “Obviously it comes with the territory, doesn't it, especially with my past and experience in Ireland.

“It will be 10 years now since everything happened with the family and that side of my personal life.

“But I can deal with that, to be honest with you. I've dealt with it my whole career.

“In my life, I've always had to deal with overcoming things. I just expect that now. I'm coming back as a married man and a father. I've changed so much. I've lived a completely different life across the water and I think that it's done me good. I'm just looking forward to the next chapter now.”