Sam Bone can hardly believe his luck as he prepares to return to Ireland.

Bone, 25, was unsure what the future held after the surprise of being released by hometown club Maidstone.

But he finds himself challenging for a title and playing in Europe after sealing a move to Shelbourne.

He’s signed an 18-month deal, with the option of an extra year, at the League of Ireland leaders who are managed by ex-Chelsea winger Damien Duff.

Duff, who won two Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho, had made Bone aware of his interest.

And when the midfielder, with nothing taking his fancy in England, followed up on it, a deal was done.

Bone previously spent six years in Ireland, winning the FAI Cup with St Patrick’s in 2021.

His first club over there were Shamrock Rovers, which is where he initially met former Ireland star Duff.

“I couldn’t ask for more,” said Bone as he gets ready to return to Dublin. “I’d spoken to a few teams in the off-season and nothing really excited me.

“I got in contact with Damien and it was the first time I said to myself, ‘Do you know what, I fancy doing this’ and it all happened so quickly.

“He sold me his ideas and within a couple of days it was all sorted.

“I hadn’t thought about going back to Ireland at first.

“If I’m honest, it came as a bit of a shock to be released.

“I wanted to stay at Maidstone and just be at home.

“When I got released, it was what do I do now?

“I didn’t want to play against Maidstone, which I know sounds cliched but I genuinely didn’t.

“Once Shels came about, they’re top of the table and playing in Europe, I thought it was the perfect time to go back.

“Football’s a strange old game. I say it all the time but as one door closes, another one opens.

“All the worry I maybe had about being released was for nothing basically because I’m going back to a place I lived for six years and call my second home and I’m so excited.”

The chance to play under Duff was another big pull for Bone.

He’s led Shels to top spot, two points clear of rivals Derry with 14 matches to go and a game in hand.

They also have the FAI Cup to play for and face St Joseph’s of Gibraltar in Conference League first-round qualifying next month, with the winners drawn against Swiss giants FC Zurich.

“What a player Damien was - I can’t wait to work with him,” said Bone. “When I first went to Shamrock he was one of the coaches so I’ve known him for a number of years.

“He’s a great guy. As a manager he’s very intense. He wants to win. He’s had so many experiences, like working with Jose Mourinho, so I’m excited to work under him.

“You can tell he’s very intense when you watch his interviews but he seems brilliant to work with and all the boys I’ve spoken to all say such good things about him.

“It’s going to be great. Hopefully I learn loads from him and he can take my game to another level.”

Shelbourne host Galway tomorrow (Friday) before Bone officially joins the Dubliners on July 1.

He’ll be available for the trip to Drogheda United next Thursday.

Shels have so much to play for but it’s one game at a time for Bone in their challenge for honours.

“I’ve genuinely not thought about winning the league,” said Bone. “Albeit they’re top but I’ve been in football long enough to know things can change the minute you get complacent.

“I’m eligible from July 1 and I’ve been training hard to go there and hit the ground running.

“If you go in there not up to standard you get found out very quickly in that environment.

“My thought process now is to go in there and focus on each game as it comes.

“We’ve got the league, the cup and Europe to look forward to and if we can keep being consistent, come the back end of the season, we could be in a good place.

“I’ve signed an 18-month deal with the option of another year and it’s great to have that stability.

“Shels is a club on the rise, with good people.

“What they’re building there is pretty big.”

Bone spent 18 months with Maidstone, helping George Elokobi’s side to the National League South play-offs and their headline-making run to the last 16 of the FA Cup.

With his future resolved, he said: “Leaving somewhere when you’ve made history makes it sweeter.

“I’m glad I didn’t just sign for my hometown club and we didn’t do anything.

“It puts a smile on my face when I think about what we achieved.”