James McClean disputes contract terms with Derry City

James McClean has issued a statement through the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland (PFAI) regarding an ongoing contract dispute with Derry City FC. While apologizing to the club's supporters for previous criticisms, the 37-year-old player expressed that he “cannot understand or accept that I have been treated this way over the past few months.”

The PFAI addressed conflicting reports regarding McClean's fitness, clarifying that while a hip injury had caused intermittent issues, he is currently “fit and well” and has been training fully for the past nine weeks. The statement also claimed that McClean was signed by the club without a medical examination.

The relationship between the player and the club has been strained since his return in January. Following a period of absence and public disagreements with former manager Tiernan Lynch, the club had previously moved to terminate McClean's contract in August before later withdrawing the notice. McClean has not played for the team since July.