2024 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[Another Bohemia]

Bohs sign Polish keeper Kacper Chorazka who had been playing in Cyprus on a multi-year deal. Another unknown but at least there's cover for Talbot now. Another centre half and I think that'll be that until the summer.

I have no idea how good the league in Cyprus is but another keeper was needed. There are far too many question marks in this Bohs squad and many of them were signed on multi year deals. Would love a couple of players in on loan to fill out CB and an extra striker instead of committing long term to more unknown quantities.

[pineapple stu]

I have no idea how good the league in Cyprus is
Cyprus have had a team in the CL quarter-finals in the past 10/15 years - so that's a vague question.

Seems he's joined from Ermis, bottom of the second tier though. Before that he was an occasional reserve keeper with Omonia in the top flight (https://ie.soccerway.com/players/kacper-chorazka/496967/) but never played.

So he's probably not quite CL quarter-final standard, but that doesn't tell us anything we didn't know anyway I guess.

Edit - actually, wiki says he had moved on to ASIL Lysi since being at Ermis, another second tier side.

[Jack B]

Seems like he's played about 20-ish senior competitive games in his career all in the Cypriot second tier, so not much to go off on paper. Bohs and to a greater extent Dundalk seem to be reliant on unknown relative quantities turning out to be shrewd bits of scouting, tough to call how either will get on.

In other news Kian Leavy has signed a new contract with Pats, the classic "multi-year" deal. Happy with that, signed well into the season so only played a handful of games but he improved with each one and by all accounts Daly et al have high hopes for him.

[Another Bohemia]

Cyprus have had a team in the CL quarter-finals in the past 10/15 years - so that's a vague question.

Seems he's joined from Ermis, bottom of the second tier though. Before that he was an occasional reserve keeper with Omonia in the top flight (https://ie.soccerway.com/players/kacper-chorazka/496967/) but never played.

So he's probably not quite CL quarter-final standard, but that doesn't tell us anything we didn't know anyway I guess.

Edit - actually, wiki says he had moved on to ASIL Lysi since being at Ermis, another second tier side.

So is suppose what I was trying to imply was I know very little about the league in general. Is it a one horse league where the co-efficient is boosted by 1 or 2 regular participants in the group stages? How far below the first division is the 2nd division? What's the standard of play like and is it a physical league? I wouldn't really expect an answer on any of these from anyone unless they watch the league regularly and I think at best this guy is an unknown with decent potential.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, fair

The top flight attendances address here FWIW - https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm. 2019 half the top flight was pulling in under 1000 on average. I think there's a lot of (probably Russian?) money at the top which helps the top punch above their weight. But you have to imagine the second tier is lower. Probably getting down to part-time with a smattering of pros, possibly like this guy (why move from Poland otherwise?)

There's a great chart here (https://twitter.com/AndyForrester1/status/1446008765396959239?t=_SYg3XHknTcKSvFWBk6reQ&s=19) which aims to rate European leagues and the teams in them - I think it does a good job in general, except it doesn't include Cyprus. Maybe they've a site with more detail?

I think it was worth clarifying Cypriot second tier though. Abibi was second tier as I recall... :p

But - not very helpful overall. Time will tell I guess

[Another Bohemia]

Yeah, fair

The top flight attendances address here FWIW - https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm. 2019 half the top flight was pulling in under 1000 on average. I think there's a lot of (probably Russian?) money at the top which helps the top punch above their weight. But you have to imagine the second tier is lower. Probably getting down to part-time with a smattering of pros, possibly like this guy (why move from Poland otherwise?)

There's a great chart here (https://twitter.com/AndyForrester1/status/1446008765396959239?t=_SYg3XHknTcKSvFWBk6reQ&s=19) which aims to rate European leagues and the teams in them - I think it does a good job in general, except it doesn't include Cyprus. Maybe they've a site with more detail?

I think it was worth clarifying Cypriot second tier though. Abibi was second tier as I recall... :p

But - not very helpful overall. Time will tell I guess

On the plus side if he is another abibi we are least have Dennison there as a starter which is something. Given how late this guy has come in I'd say Dennison is the starter until he has a howler anyway.

[Nesta99]

So is suppose what I was trying to imply was I know very little about the league in general. Is it a one horse league where the co-efficient is boosted by 1 or 2 regular participants in the group stages? How far below the first division is the 2nd division? What's the standard of play like and is it a physical league? I wouldn't really expect an answer on any of these from anyone unless they watch the league regularly and I think at best this guy is an unknown with decent potential.

Yeah a few Dundalk fans were saying the same while thinking we should beat Larnaca! Technically a good standard, full of Spanish and foreign players brought in by questionable finances in the Cypriot league. If anything i'd say their league has improved with continued groups stage football for a few clubs. I dont thik the standard would be a worry but not sure its a useful metric on a signing....Zahibo haunts still!


Abibi???

[gufct]

https://galwayunitedfc.ie/al-amin-kazeem-joins-galway-united-on-loan-from-colchester-united/

[yurt]

I'm really happy with that signing.

In general I think you can see the difference in quality between players who are being loaned from the UK than the guys who've been released.

He's played 30 or so games in L2 at 21 years of age which is a decent pedigree for what Galway have been signing this past decade.

He's had his injury problems so hopefully he can stay fit.

[SPXcyan]

Maleace Asamoah joins on loan for the season from sister club Fleetwood, he looked outstanding against us in the friendly last summer, a quality baller, should be a major threat to all Premier League clubs, delighted with this one.

https://waterfordfc.ie/maleace-asamoah-becomes-a-blue/

[D24Saint]

We signed Romal Palmer on loan from Turkish side Göztepe. A midfielder with EFL Championship experience at Barnsley.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Looks a good signing

[2 Year Contract]

Palmer is a good age at 25 and the 70 championship appearances before moving to turkey a year and a half ago isn’t bad pedigree at all.

Cork have signed Niall Brookwell, Centre back/defensive midfielder that was on trial with pats a couple of weeks ago. Ex Newcastle u21s that was most recently with Workington AFC

[2 Year Contract]

Just saw a stat on Twitter about the Lincoln City and Fleetwood Town League 1 match today. Just the eleven ex LOI players involved in the matchday squads. Sign of the times etc but that’s surely a record

[Jack B]

Palmer looks a strong signing on paper, but as always will have to actually see him play before getting too carried away. Did some light research and saw that he played a lot of games for Barnsley the season they got to the playoff final, and did the same the following season only their manager had been poached and they subsequently fell off a cliff and got relegated. Still and all got offered a new deal there only to opt to move to Turkey instead. Decent pedigree so will be interesting to see how he gets on.

[D24Saint]

Yeah looks a decent signing on paper. It’s a bit strange that he didn’t get a move back to England at some level with his Barnsley experience. Perhaps the idea of European football appealed to him. It’s an ace that our clubs have over a lot of English clubs. As big a club as Barnsley etc are they will never compete in Europe ever.

[Shinkicker]

Grant Horton on his way to LOI premier club on a permanent transfer. HHHMMM wonder which one?

[RealJohn91]

Grant Horton on his way to LOI premier club on a permanent transfer. HHHMMM wonder which one?
Waterford probably with the way things have gone lately.

[Shinkicker]

Waterford probably with the way things have gone lately.
He been back and forward that many times I wouldn't mind his air miles.

[total hoofball]

Surely Horton would be signing back for Bohs considering a few days before the season kicks they only have Cornwall and young Byrne as centre-backs

[Another Bohemia]

Surely Horton would be signing back for Bohs considering a few days before the season kicks they only have Cornwall and young Byrne as centre-backs

Could've said the same for Radkowski. When Radkowski signed for Waterford j don't think Cornwall was signed either.

[ontheotherhand]

He been back and forward that many times I wouldn't mind his air miles.

Laughed at that. Feels like he has played for bohs, left and come back about 9 times but also that he's only been around for two seasons total.

[SPXcyan]

There was a rumour earlier that Waterford will announce the signing of a centre back before Friday, could be Horton I suppose but I'd be a little surprised if it was him.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Looks like Max Mata is coming back as well

[joey B]

Looks like Max Mata is coming back as well

Be a big one for youse that….

[Nesta99]

Looks like Max Mata is coming back as well

Released/loan? After signing a 3 year deal las Summer with The Shrews thats a bit tail between the legs for him.

[ger121]

Grant Horton on his way to LOI premier club on a permanent transfer. HHHMMM wonder which one?

Horton hears a who!

[Shearer]

Looks like Mike Kerley will be on Tommy Barrett's backroom team.

[2 Year Contract]

Dundalk have signed goalkeeper George Shelvey on a permanent basis from Nottingham Forest and defender Zak Johnson on loan from Sunderland

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Released/loan? After signing a 3 year deal las Summer with The Shrews thats a bit tail between the legs for him.

Loan I assume

[RealJohn91]

Brian McManus signing for Bohs from Shels apparently. Real out of left field move that.

[total hoofball]

I hope there isn't some stupid low level release clause in McManus' contract that has resulted in that move, but if there isn't a release clause Bohs have very little options available in the LOI for central midfield so maybe they are paying a good transfer fee to Shels

It's not an impactful loss for Shels as I think his game time would be constrained again this season, great lad who has ability and an engine but never got a solid consistent run in the Shels starting XI to go up a level often picking up niggly knocks

[Another Bohemia]

Brian McManus signing for Bohs from Shels apparently. Real out of left field move that.

We were linked with him before he signed for Shels as well if I am remembering correctly. This probably means that James McManus will be sold during the summer once he's back fit.

[Jack B]

Gavin Molloy signing a new deal is a big one for Shels. Great player.

[Nesta99]

Loan I assume

Seems like a sensible move all round. Havent seen enough of him at Sligo to get a sense on hwether he really is up to L1 rather than a hopeful punt by Shrewsbury. He has had plenty of game time since his move with little return so probably suffering the dreaded low confidence striker stuff, makes snse to go back to where he brimed with confidence. If it clicks again it changes the picture for Sligo a good bit.

There's more positivity about Dundalk's signings in now, the last two better late than never but important. It could add enough depth to carry all but the absolute worst of injury crises (which is quite possible). Not sure it jumps is up the table much but look a little less vulnerable from being basement dwellers. If Shelvey is Sheppard MII then not too bad at all - Wonder what Burton had to say about that permanent transfer?

[Another Bohemia]

Brian McManus confirmed to Bohs now

[Burnsie]

and Horton to Waterford

[ontheotherhand]

Waterford probably with the way things have gone lately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dwes9SQg9k

[2 Year Contract]

Brian McManus has now followed Aodh Dervin in being chucked away despite being part of Duff's self claimed “4 of the best midfielders in the league” along with JJ Lunney and Mark Coyle. Hmm, odd that ;)

[Nesta99]

Mentioing Duff, he will be under some proper pressure this season for the 1st time as a manager with expectation of fans and even moreso owners - be interestng to see how he reacts, up the ante on refs or more scuffles in player tunnels as deflection from a poor performance, saluting opposition fans etc. Predictions on how many games he'll spend in the stand? Ollie and JC will spend some time in the comfortable seats also, O'Donnell a game or 2 probably, Bradley could unless Rovers are fast out of the traps. Doherty can have moments. The rest can hold their tongues.

[Shinkicker]

and Horton to Waterford
Keith Long brought him to Bohs and always had good things to say about him. I think that would have helped him make his decision. Probably money too

[legendz]

Max Mata returns on loan for Sligo.

https://twitter.com/LeagueofIreland/status/1758129794196140348?t=aRm_2t8v2iAwQetoRa_Raw&s=19

[joey B]

Gideon Tetteh joined Athlone on loan from Shamrock Rovers.

[sbgawa]

Gideon Tetteh joined Athlone on loan from Shamrock Rovers.

That's disappointing I'd hoped he would get some game time when gaffney was getting a rest.

[2 Year Contract]

That's disappointing I'd hoped he would get some game time when gaffney was getting a rest.

He's a winger though no?

[2 Year Contract]

Sligo have signed Ellis Chapman on a permanent transfer after he had originally came in on loan last month

[gufct]

Has ryan flood left harps not on squad list

[joey B]

Has ryan flood left harps not on squad list

The club just put out a video that he’s gone back to Arizona on “compassionate leave “ indefinitely,hopefully it’s nothing too serious and he’s back soon but if he’s not any expectations for us can be downgraded significantly ..

[nigel-harps1954]

Has ryan flood left harps not on squad list

Gone back to America on compassionate leave


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDEKu0xgkCY

[ger121]

Max Mata returns on loan for Sligo.

https://twitter.com/LeagueofIreland/status/1758129794196140348?t=aRm_2t8v2iAwQetoRa_Raw&s=19

Did not see that one coming.