SHANE Byrne was a happy man when he walked back into Gigg Lane last week after securing a two-year deal.

The Leicester midfielder was given a taste of first-team action after playing 15 games on loan for Bury last season.

And the all-action Republic of Ireland Under-21s international moved fast to engineer his own move back after finding out he was destined to spend another year in the reserves.

“I still had a year left, but I sort of knew I wasn’t going to get in the first team there (Leicester) and I wasn’t happy with settling for a development squad place, so I asked if I could go out.

“I’m playing for the club officially now – I am a Shaker – so it means a lot more for me putting that jersey on.”

While Byrne was surplus to requirements at Leicester, he felt the love as soon as it was revealed he was to become a fully fledged Shaker.

“The fans have been great to me,” said the 19-year-old centre midfielder. “As soon as I put it on Twitter I got a flood of messages in welcoming me back.”

With Steven Schumacher suspended for the Coventry match, Byrne was thrown straight into the starting line-up, but knows he will have to prove he is worthy of a regular place.

“My aim now is to train hard, hopefully add to the squad and get some wins under our belt,” he said.

“I’m only 19 – I’ve got a decent bit of experience but I can only improve here playing with better players like Peter Sweeney and the captain Steven Schumacher – it’s only going to improve me and I can learn from them.”