Boston United have moved quickly ahead of the summer by securing the signing of experienced former Grimsby Town midfielder Gavan Holohan.
The 34-year-old will officially join the Pilgrims on July 1 after agreeing a one-year deal at the Jakemans Community Stadium following the expiry of his contract with Hartlepool United.
Holohan arrives with a wealth of experience across the English and Irish game, having enjoyed promotions from the National League with both Hartlepool United and Grimsby Town in successive seasons. He worked under the current Boston management duo, Paul Hurst and Chris Doig, during his spell with Grimsby, where he became a popular figure and played a key role in their return to the Football League in 2022.
The Irish midfielder began his career with Hull City before spells with Alfreton Town and a series of clubs in his homeland, including Drogheda United, Cork City, Galway United and Waterford. During his time in Ireland, he won the FAI Cup with Cork City in 2016 and built a reputation as an energetic midfielder capable of contributing goals from deep positions.
His move to Hartlepool in 2019 proved to be a turning point in his career. Holohan scored 23 goals in 108 appearances across his first spell with Pools and was part of the side promoted back to the Football League via the National League play-offs in 2021. He also collected the National League Player of the Month award in April 2021 after a strong run of form during the promotion push.
After joining Grimsby Town in March 2022, Holohan again tasted National League play-off success. He scored a dramatic late equaliser against Notts County in the play-offs before the Mariners eventually returned to the EFL under Hurst. He later helped Grimsby reach the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2023, scoring twice against Southampton at St Mary’s as the Mariners stunned Premier League opposition.
Holohan spent the last two seasons with Crawley Town before returning briefly to Hartlepool earlier this year. Across his senior career he has made more than 400 appearances and scored 65 goals.
For Boston, the signing represents an early statement of intent ahead of the new National League campaign. Holohan brings promotion experience, leadership and proven quality at this level, with Hurst clearly trusting a player he knows well from previous success at Blundell Park.
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