James McClean has left Derry City after the club reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.The former Republic of Ireland winger had been exiled from the first-team squad since July.McClean has departed Derry City nine months after returning to the clubShutterstockHis absence from the side resulted in a long-running dispute with the Candystripes after the club attempted to terminate his deal.Derry have now announced that McClean has left the club just nine months after signing a ‘multi-year deal’ at Brandywell Stadium.The 37-year-old had returned to his former club in January following his exit from Wrexham.It came 15 years after he was sold to Premier League side Sunderland back in 2011.Derry City statementIn a statement confirming the news, Derry said: “Derry City FC and James McClean can confirm that they have reached a mutual agreement to terminate James’ contract with the club with immediate effect.“This agreement brings an end to the recent dispute. Both the club and James are satisfied with the outcome and are pleased to move forward constructively.”McClean added: “I am pleased that we have reached a resolution to settle these matters.“While my return to the club did not work out as I had hoped, Derry City FC will always hold a special place in my heart.“I want to thank the fans for their support, and I wish the squad, the management, staff, and the supporters the very best for the future.“In particular, I want to wish the team the best of luck in the FAI Cup final against Waterford FC.”McClean had been exiled from the first-team squad since JulyShutterstockMeanwhile, club chairman Philip O’Doherty also said: “On behalf of everyone at Derry City, I want to thank James for his dedication to his hometown club.“His achievements extend far beyond the Brandywell; amassing 103 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland is a remarkable milestone, and we want to formally acknowledge his immense contribution to Irish football as a whole.“We wish him the very best for the future. Neither the club nor James McClean will be making any further comment on this matter.”McClean at Derry CityFollowing his return to Derry, McClean made 20 appearances during his second spell at the club, providing four assists.However, his last appearance for the side came back in July during an FAI Cup second round tie against Tolka Rovers.Whilst he was subsequently an unused substitute against Croatian club Rijeka in Conference League qualifying, he was not included in a matchday squad after that fixture on July 23.McClean rejoined Derry on a ‘multi-year deal’ in JanuaryShutterstockAcross his two spells with Derry, McClean made 108 appearances, scoring 20 goals for the club.Capped 104 times by Ireland, he has also amassed 158 Premier League appearances during his career for Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.Meanwhile, McClean’s time in the EFL included spells with Wigan Athletic, Stoke City and Wrexham.His exit comes ahead of Derry’s final league match of the season away to Sligo Rovers on Friday.They go into the fixture sitting fifth in the table, with the FAI Cup final against Waterford to follow at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, November 8.Derry are aiming to win the competition, which they last clinched in 2022, for the seventh time in their history.