Gavan Holohan has completed a return to Hartlepool United, signing for the club on a free transfer from Crawley Town.
The Kilkenny native has put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season, subject to league and international clearance, after agreeing personal terms and coming through a medical.
Holohan’s return to the Prestige Group Stadium will be warmly welcomed, with the midfielder having established himself as a firm fan favourite during his previous spell at the club. Across four seasons with Pools, he made 106 appearances and scored 21 goals, playing a pivotal role in one of the most memorable periods in the club’s recent history.
That spell included Hartlepool’s promotion back to the Football League, where Holohan was a key figure during the National League play-off campaign, scoring eight goals, while lining out alongside current Pools boss Nicky Featherstone.
After leaving Hartlepool, the former Evergreen player went on to enjoy a productive period with Grimsby Town, scoring 16 goals in 107 appearances. His time with the Mariners included several big moments, notably a last-minute equaliser in the 2022 National League play-off semi-final and two penalties against Southampton in the FA Cup, as Grimsby reached the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 1939. That season he joined the likes of joined the likes of Casemiro and Riyad Mahrez in FA Cup Team of the Season
Holohan joined Crawley Town in the summer of 2024 and featured regularly across League One and League Two for the West Sussex club before the opportunity to return to Hartlepool arose.
Across his senior career to date, the Hull City academy graduate has now clocked up an impressive 414 appearances, scoring 65 goals and providing 23 assists across spells in the League of Ireland, the National League and the Football League.
Speaking after sealing his return, Holohan said he was delighted to be back at a club that clearly still feels like home.
“I loved my time here and I’ve got great memories, especially getting promoted back to the EFL. That’s where this club belongs,” he said.
“When I spoke to Nicky and knew the chance to come back was there, it felt right straight away. I’m fully focused on making an impact and helping the team in any way I can.”
From Evergreen in Kilkenny to the Football League, Gavan Holohan’s journey has already included promotion success, FA Cup heroics and plenty of memorable moments — and now, for Hartlepool fans , it’s great to see him back where he made such a lasting impact.
