Kelleher transfer breaks records for Ringmahon
Two Cork clubs are set to earn a huge financial windfall after a high profile transfer by Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher this week.
The Corkman won the Premier League with Liverpool FC this season but moved to fellow Premier League team Brentford FC this week for a fee reported to be worth around €21m plus future add-ons.
The deal is reported to be an initial €14.86m with performance related additions potentially taking it to €21.4m.
The fee would have been higher but Kelleher had only one year left on his contract so Liverpool sold him this summer to secure a transfer fee after 10 years at the English club.
The 26 year old joined Liverpool from Ringmahon Rangers in 2015 and went on to make 67 senior appearances for the Reds, winning seven trophies. The transfer means that Ringmahon are set to make millions with another former club of his - Rockmount - also securing a windfall. Ringmahon are set to use some of the money to improve facilities at the club.
When Kelleher initially moved to Liverpool for a fee of around €35,000, the club cleverly negotiated a 20% sell-on clause which has now apparently yielded the southside club a dividend of around €3m although Rockmount will be due 20% of that too. Club secretary Sean Fitzgerald has been credited with the clause.
The previous highest transfer received by an Irish club was the €2 million Shamrock Rovers earned from Gavin Bazunu's move from Manchester City to Southampton.
Kelleher signed a five-year contract with the option of an additional year with Brentford who also boast Irish defender Nathan Collins in their squad.
He departs Anfield having lifted two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Emirates FA Cup, two Carabao Cups and the UEFA Super Cup. He also won four penalty shootouts as a Liverpool player – the most of any ’keeper in the club’s history.
In the 2022 Carabao Cup final he scored the decisive spot-kick as Liverpool beat Chelsea at Wembley.
Last season, he played 20 times as Arne Slot’s side were crowned Premier League champions and reached the final of the Carabao Cup.
That included a run of 10 consecutive starts in league and Champions League fixtures. Liverpool won eight and drew the other two of those games with Kelleher keeping five clean sheets.
Liverpool FC released a statement thanking him, as well as a video of his best moment. “Everyone at Liverpool FC thanks Caoimhin for his contribution to the club’s recent success and wishes him the best of luck for the future.”
The Corkman released a statement on social media about the journey he had at the club.
“To have the opportunity to play for this club was something I never took for granted and the memories I have I will cherish forever. From making my debut to winning trophies, I have loved it all.
“Thank you to everyone at the club from the staff to my coaches and my teammates past and present. You have all helped shape me into the man I am today. To the fans, thank you for the amazing support throughout the years. I have always felt the love and it means a lot. I will always have a special place in my heart for this club and city. Thank you all and good luck for the future.”