2025 Arrivals and Departures

[2 Year Contract]

Liam Burt has left rovers by mutual consent. Expected really after he’d been exiled since returning from his loan. You’d wonder if he has another club over here lined up. Drogheda would be ideal so that he can leave them next year for Dundalk to continue his run as king of all judases

[Another Bohemia]

Liam Burt has left rovers by mutual consent. Expected really after he’d been exiled since returning from his loan. You’d wonder if he has another club over here lined up. Drogheda would be ideal so that he can leave them next year for Dundalk to continue his run as king of all judases

Surely he must be in line to join pats and then UCD. Gotta complete the Dublin clubs before moving on to louth

[RealJohn91]

A return to Bohs would make sense to increase depth on the wings but I'm not sure if that would go down well with the fanbase.

[bohsmug]

He needs to re-sign for one of the local rivals in order to complete his loop. Then he can go Drogheda - Dundalk - Drogheda.

[Another Bohemia]

A return to Bohs would make sense to increase depth on the wings but I'm not sure if that would go down well with the fanbase.

We were linked with him alright but I think with Parsons, Rooney & Meekison as senior players and Rhys Brennan having a really good pre season I don't really see a space for him. I doubt he's fit either considering he didn't have a preseason.

[Shearer]

Kerry seem to have signed ex PSG academy keeper and once capped senior Madagascar international Mathias Randriamamy last week. Nothing official from the club as far as I can see but it’s been reported in multiple foreign outlets and he’s listed as a Kerry player on the LOI Connect app

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathyas_Randriamamy
Just been announced. Kerry have four (arguably three) goalkeepers in their squad now.

[legendz]

Just been announced. Kerry have four (arguably three) goalkeepers in their squad now.

Seems to be some good competition for some places. Will see for sure over the course of the season. Can never be too sure of the overseas signings without LoI experience.

[culloty82]

Just been announced. Kerry have four (arguably three) goalkeepers in their squad now.

Presumably Foley will be the U20 keeper, but Doran can't be too happy that he won't even make the bench now! Edit - seems the latter's 20, so presumably they'll both get a shot in that squad.

[RealJohn91]

Centre half Sean Grehan signs on loan for Bohs till the summer from Crystal Palace. Interesting one this, he came through at Bohs but had a messy exit. Was left without a club for a while too before he joined Palace.

[Shearer]

Centre half Sean Grehan signs on loan for Bohs till the summer from Crystal Palace. Interesting one this, he came through at Bohs but had a messy exit. Was left without a club for a while too before he joined Palace.
Was it something to do with Bohs turning down a paltry offer and Grehan kicked up?

[RealJohn91]

Was it something to do with Bohs turning down a paltry offer and Grehan kicked up?
Yeah I think that was the crux of the matter alright.

[brendy_éire]

Kevin Holt, defender for Dundee is rumoured to be signing for Derry tonight.
Been talk about him for a while, but he wasn't playing today, and looks like it's getting done.
He's 32, so bang on brand for our signings.

Separately, rumours than Pat Hoban is off to Galway. Would be surprised at that, but he may not be starting for us, so understandable.

[nigel-harps1954]

Kevin Holt, defender for Dundee is rumoured to be signing for Derry tonight.
Been talk about him for a while, but he wasn't playing today, and looks like it's getting done.
He's 32, so bang on brand for our signings.

Separately, rumours than Pat Hoban is off to Galway. Would be surprised at that, but he may not be starting for us, so understandable.

Reported as £350k over two years in wages. Some of the suggested figures for wages coming out of Derry signings would make your eyes water. They'd really want to be winning the league to pay for this.

[brendy_éire]

Reported as £350k over two years in wages. Some of the suggested figures for wages coming out of Derry signings would make your eyes water. They'd really want to be winning the league to pay for this.

We won't be winning the league with only two/three centre havles.

Wouldn't surprise me about the wages. There were rumours that Coleraine had offered Gavin Whyte £3k a week (which is mad itself), and we outbid them.

Signing confirmed now.
https://www.derrycityfc.net/2025/02/deadline-deal-as-city-sign-holt/

[2 Year Contract]

Reported as £350k over two years in wages. Some of the suggested figures for wages coming out of Derry signings would make your eyes water. They'd really want to be winning the league to pay for this.

£40k fee plus add ons too for a 32 year old that was out of contract in July anyways. The boom is truly back :D

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city-closing-in-on-transfer-deadline-day-move-for-dundee-united-defender-kevin-holt-5003013

[lofty9]

We won't be winning the league with only two/three centre havles.

Wouldn't surprise me about the wages. There were rumours that Coleraine had offered Gavin Whyte £3k a week (which is mad itself), and we outbid them.

Signing confirmed now.
https://www.derrycityfc.net/2025/02/deadline-deal-as-city-sign-holt/

2.5k per week is the highest we're paying. Ridiculous money, but our chairman is a billionaire.

[nigel-harps1954]

2.5k per week is the highest we're paying. Ridiculous money, but our chairman is a billionaire.

I've got some magic beans for you if you believe that.

[lofty9]

I've got some magic beans for you if you believe that.

'know'.

[redobit]

We won't be winning the league with only two/three centre havles.

Wouldn't surprise me about the wages. There were rumours that Coleraine had offered Gavin Whyte £3k a week (which is mad itself), and we outbid them.

Signing confirmed now.
https://www.derrycityfc.net/2025/02/deadline-deal-as-city-sign-holt/

Get a blank cheque to cover costs at the end of every season, that's some financial model. Not sure how do Derry get a license every season when things like the salary cost protocol are in the the licence agreement.

[Acornvilla]

2.5k per week is the highest we're paying. Ridiculous money, but our chairman is a billionaire.
In pounds + accommodation perhaps?

Then you're looking at something in the region of €4k

Derry have been giving long contracts generally too right, which could be a big consideration to players north of 31/2

[joey B]

2 weeks after joining Carrick Rangers Adam Foley retires….

[brendy_éire]

Get a blank cheque to cover costs at the end of every season, that's some financial model. Not sure how do Derry get a license every season when things like the salary cost protocol are in the the licence agreement.

No point getting annoyed about it. There isn't a club in the country that would turn down that sort of cash injection.
If it makes you feel any better, we still can't win the feckin league!

I think we all know it's a not an ideal business model, and eventually the money will stop (even if it's a long way in the future).
However, POD is doing things that will be in places for decades to come. Things like the new stand and the new academy.
Perhaps these things will lead to the club being self-sufficient longer-term, which is the plan.

[redobit]

No point getting annoyed about it. There isn't a club in the country that would turn down that sort of cash injection.
If it makes you feel any better, we still can't win the feckin league!

I think we all know it's a not an ideal business model, and eventually the money will stop (even if it's a long way in the future).
However, POD is doing things that will be in places for decades to come. Things like the new stand and the new academy.
Perhaps these things will lead to the club being self-sufficient longer-term, which is the plan.

Tbh, I'm not annoyed at all about Derry getting free money but that wasn't the point of my post. I'm maybe a tad jealous, but my point is more to do with the FAI and their turn a blind eye when it suits.

At least O'Doherty is putting money into infrastructure, I'll give him that. Not like teams who pee their money up against the wages wall.

The academy may be for the future. Although I have heard that Derry u20s couldn't fulfill a number of fixtures toward the end of last season as they couldn't field a team. Apparently half a dozen players left for nordie teams and some injuries meant they hadn't the numbers to play the game. Young lads seeing the likes of Holt coming in surely are thinking what chance have I got to break through. Anyway that's a different problem to manage I guess but again it relates to the lack of FAI doing nothing when it suits them, which in this case is about fulfilling fixtures, even if it is under age.

[Nesta99]

I dont get how a cllub cant get enough players for an u20 side! Players leave but there are many lads that would want to be involved. Even if they are not up to it at the very least it fulfills fixtures so no excuse - unless there is a window for signings but even in the senior game there is dispensation in emergency situations and which would the FAI prefer. Promote for the U16/18s!? On salary caps I think its % of turnover but director 'loans' are allowed/included. If they werent the leage would be in disarray, St Pats, Rovers a while back, Derry, P6 Dundalk, Galway, Shels, Drogs, even Cobh and Kerry etc would be in trouble if owner money wasnt able to shore up finances.

[oriel]

£40k fee plus add ons too for a 32 year old that was out of contract in July anyways. The boom is truly back :D

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city-closing-in-on-transfer-deadline-day-move-for-dundee-united-defender-kevin-holt-5003013

Not transfer related, but the boom must indeed be back as Dundalk who were going out of biz last Sept, and needed fan groups to pay for away trips meals and coaches in Sept and Oct are now staying overnight if you please, in Tralee tomorrow in preparation for the Kerry FC game on Fri night.

All away tickets sold also I hear.

[2 Year Contract]

I see Ian Harte has been spouting utter crap that LOI clubs (though maybe he was talking about the league up north considering he calls it the Irish League??) are “killing young lads chances” of playing at Premier League/top European level by pricing them out of transfers to top European clubs.

The example given was rovers supposedly pricing Justin Ferizaj out of a premier league move. The reality is that if a premier league club wanted a player with premier league potential bad enough, they’d have undoubtedly paid the money for him. As it turns out Ferizaj is now 20 years old and is over 18 months with Serie B club Frosinone and has yet to even make the first team match day squad. But yeah… I’m sure it’s rovers fault that he’s not starting premier league games by now… :rolleyes: The piece notes that he’s an agent so it’s likely that he or a friend had a young lad here that had a peanuts transfer offer from an English club turned down and they lost out on a few quid signing on fee over it

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/league-ireland-clubs-killing-young-34754306

[WeAreRovers]

Rubbish from Harte who it turns out is not even a registered agent. https://www.smiworld.co.uk/team

Irish 'young lads' can't go to the UK until they are 18 and very few are of interest to EPL clubs anyway. Those who do interest Premier League clubs - Bazunu, Ferguson, Melia etc - will find their way to the EPL with or without Ian Harte..

[D24Saint]

Rubbish from Harte who it turns out is not even a registered agent. https://www.smiworld.co.uk/team

Irish 'young lads' can't go to the UK until they are 18 and very few are of interest to EPL clubs anyway. Those who do interest Premier League clubs - Bazunu, Ferguson, Melia etc - will find their way to the EPL with or without Ian Harte..

Harte hasn’t been relevant in years. I wouldn’t have any respect for his opinion.

[total hoofball]

Does anyone know what players Harte represents? If I was reading that clueless tripe from my agent I would be looking for a new one ASAP

Harte is absolutely spoofing about 'loads of big Premier League teams interested" in Ferizaj, he was old enough at 17 signing his Rovers professional contract at the same time he turned down Sampdoria and nobody forced a gun to the lad's head just a year later when he was 18 to accept the transfer Frosinone, you are not turning down any of the 20 Premier League clubs or even most Championship clubs to join a lowly Serie A team at the time who are now staring at the trap door to Serie C

[EalingGreen]

I see Ian Harte has been spouting utter crap that LOI clubs (though maybe he was talking about the league up north considering he calls it the Irish League??) are “killing young lads chances” of playing at Premier League/top European level by pricing them out of transfers to top European clubs.Harte cannot be talking about the IL - or shouldn't be - since unlike youngsters from continental Europe, young lads from NI can go over to GB when they're 16 i.e. before there's any talk of fees etc.

Which is why (I think) we've seen more lads than ever going over the water, with clubs like WHU now even beginning to open Academies in NI, since in the absence of young foreign recruits, NI lads offer a cheap alternative punt i.e. if they don't make it, just send them home at 18 or 19, at no great expense.

As for the LOI, ROI has an advantage under the Common Travel Agreement in that they may send 18 y.o.'s to GB without the need for the work permit which EU youngsters require. In which case, if LOI clubs should be using this competitive advantage to hold out for decent fees which they couldn't demand before, then why the hell not?

In the end, if the kid is good enough he'll come through in GB or Europe, fee or no fee.

[Buckett]

Does anyone know what players Harte represents? If I was reading that clueless tripe from my agent I would be looking for a new one ASAP


Kyle Fitzgerald, recently signed for Newcastle from Galway Utd following his 18th birthday, is represented by Harte.

[pineapple stu]

I doubt anyone is put off by what - a five-figure fee at most for an 18-year-old?

[2 Year Contract]

Harte cannot be talking about the IL - or shouldn't be - since unlike youngsters from continental Europe, young lads from NI can go over to GB when they're 16 i.e. before there's any talk of fees etc.

Which is why (I think) we've seen more lads than ever going over the water, with clubs like WHU now even beginning to open Academies in NI, since in the absence of young foreign recruits, NI lads offer a cheap alternative punt i.e. if they don't make it, just send them home at 18 or 19, at no great expense.

As for the LOI, ROI has an advantage under the Common Travel Agreement in that they may send 18 y.o.'s to GB without the need for the work permit which EU youngsters require. In which case, if LOI clubs should be using this competitive advantage to hold out for decent fees which they couldn't demand before, then why the hell not?

In the end, if the kid is good enough he'll come through in GB or Europe, fee or no fee.

He was talking about the League of Ireland. It was sarcasm on my behalf as he called it the 'Irish league', which shows his education on domestic Irish football in general

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Connor Wickham to Shams?

[TonyD]

Does anyone know what players Harte represents? If I was reading that clueless tripe from my agent I would be looking for a new one ASAP

Harte is absolutely spoofing about 'loads of big Premier League teams interested" in Ferizaj, he was old enough at 17 signing his Rovers professional contract at the same time he turned down Sampdoria and nobody forced a gun to the lad's head just a year later when he was 18 to accept the transfer Frosinone, you are not turning down any of the 20 Premier League clubs or even most Championship clubs to join a lowly Serie A team at the time who are now staring at the trap door to Serie C

Harte seems to think clubs here have a duty to send their best young players to England for a pittance. In short, fk that. I’m not interested in how many young players Pats send to England. I mean, good luck to them, but if we are sending our best young players to English clubs then I want to see Pats get the best deal they can. Why does Harte think Irish clubs should act differently to any other clubs in the world ? As for pricing them out of moves, Mason Melia’s recent (record breaking, btw) move was about what, 1.6 million sterling ? Chicken feed to an English premier league club.

[brendy_éire]

Harte seems to think clubs here have a duty to send their best young players to England for a pittance. In short, fk that.

That's what's so strange about it. He seems to believe that the best way to help the national team for clubs here is to sell players cheaply and as quickly as possibly, ideally to England.
Also, the fact he couldn't even get the name of the league correct pretty much invalidates his opinion on the matter.

[sbgawa]

Hes an idiot if he thinks Rovers are stopping kids leave unless we get big money.
I cant think of a single actual example of this in the last 10 years.
The Justin F example is complete nonsense as far as i remember we either got zero or a very small fee for him when he left, there were no big moneyh offers unless Harte thinks we turned down big money from the UK to force him to go for small money to EU.
Wouldnt be surprised if he is talking about a player he or a pal are is trying to get over to UK without paying minimum compensation, so its just a case of throw the toys out of the pram

[dcfc_legend9]

Tbh, I'm not annoyed at all about Derry getting free money but that wasn't the point of my post. I'm maybe a tad jealous, but my point is more to do with the FAI and their turn a blind eye when it suits.

At least O'Doherty is putting money into infrastructure, I'll give him that. Not like teams who pee their money up against the wages wall.

The academy may be for the future. Although I have heard that Derry u20s couldn't fulfill a number of fixtures toward the end of last season as they couldn't field a team. Apparently half a dozen players left for nordie teams and some injuries meant they hadn't the numbers to play the game. Young lads seeing the likes of Holt coming in surely are thinking what chance have I got to break through. Anyway that's a different problem to manage I guess but again it relates to the lack of FAI doing nothing when it suits them, which in this case is about fulfilling fixtures, even if it is under age.


With regards the underage groups now Derry are trying to get their house in order. Mark McCrystal and Hugh Harkin have now taken over the responsibility of managing and restructuring the academy setup with the individual team managers under these guys. We lagged well behind the likes of Finn Harps who have kevin mchugh in place and seems to be doing a good job up there.

Derrys academy had gone to the way side the last few years but with the potential of Derry looking to build a training hub that will be built to house first team and Academy the club is becoming progressive and finally forward thinking. Still along way off but at least changes are being made.

[2 Year Contract]

Sean Molloy the keeper that played a few league games for Dundalk last season has signed for Pats, where he was prior to joining Dundalk. Was part of the warmup last night but didn’t make the bench as he’s 3rd or 4th choice keeper. Had just signed for Inchicore Athletic recently and played 2 games for them

[outspoken]

Sean Molloy the keeper that played a few league games for Dundalk last season has signed for Pats, where he was prior to joining Dundalk. Was part of the warmup last night but didn’t make the bench as he’s 3rd or 4th choice keeper. Had just signed for Inchicore Athletic recently and played 2 games for them

Can't understand why he was taken out of goals last year for Dundalk. Did nothing wrong in the games he played.

[2 Year Contract]

Sean Robertson has signed for shamrock rovers from Derry. Must’ve been released by Derry prior to the transfer deadline. I know he was told weeks ago he could leave but he was still training with him after that

[sbgawa]

Any views from derry fans on him?
Assume the fact he was let go can't be a good sign. Our recruitment has been a shambles this season. With the exception of healy we have signed either players who are consistently injured or past their best.

[2 Year Contract]

I see Ian Harte has been spouting utter crap that LOI clubs (though maybe he was talking about the league up north considering he calls it the Irish League??) are “killing young lads chances” of playing at Premier League/top European level by pricing them out of transfers to top European clubs.

The example given was rovers supposedly pricing Justin Ferizaj out of a premier league move. The reality is that if a premier league club wanted a player with premier league potential bad enough, they’d have undoubtedly paid the money for him. As it turns out Ferizaj is now 20 years old and is over 18 months with Serie B club Frosinone and has yet to even make the first team match day squad. But yeah… I’m sure it’s rovers fault that he’s not starting premier league games by now… :rolleyes: The piece notes that he’s an agent so it’s likely that he or a friend had a young lad here that had a peanuts transfer offer from an English club turned down and they lost out on a few quid signing on fee over it

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/league-ireland-clubs-killing-young-34754306

On the face of things, it appears Harte has been doing a bit of either spoofing about his job role or breaking rules (or both), which is a truly hilarious outcome of his terrible article :)

https://www.removepaywall.com/search?url=https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ian-harte-deletes-references-to-him-being-a-football-agent-from-online-profile/a796798020.html

[WeAreRovers]

Any views from derry fans on him?
Assume the fact he was let go can't be a good sign. Our recruitment has been a shambles this season. With the exception of healy we have signed either players who are consistently injured or past their best.

Eh? McGinty, Noonan, Healy all quality signings. Jury out on Grant and we haven’t seen Matthews.

Age profile much better now and Robertson hopefully adds to that and brings pace.

Exciting young striker signed for July too so I hear.

[brendy_éire]

Sean Robertson has signed for shamrock rovers from Derry. Must’ve been released by Derry prior to the transfer deadline. I know he was told weeks ago he could leave but he was still training with him after that

I thought he'd left us, but maybe not, as the club has issued a statement today saying he's away. Though it's outside the transfer window, so maybe we wasn't actually signed up at all?

Strange signing all the same. Didn't get on much for us last year, but did just alright when we was on.
He's quick, but didn't seem to have much final ball, and went missed during games too. Not sure why Bradley has taken him on at all.

[sbgawa]

Eh? McGinty, Noonan, Healy all quality signings. Jury out on Grant and we haven’t seen Matthews.

Age profile much better now and Robertson hopefully adds to that and brings pace.

Exciting young striker signed for July too so I hear.

Mcginty should have been signed a year ago, it took us 4 or 5 years to decide Pohls wasnt good enough. Grant was poor for bohs and so far poor for us. I've acknowledged Healy he looks excellent but when we are signing Gaffney and kavanagh it smacks of bodies for the sake of it. I support Rovers 100% through thick and plenty of thin through the homeless years but I'm not blind to facts. The unfortunate injury crises taht has stretched for probably a year now is not unfortunate it's predictable.

[nr637]

Cobh Ramblers are delighted to announce the signing of former Chelsea and Derby County forward George Nunn.George spent the 2024 season at HK Kópavogs in the Icelandic top tier, and is an Ireland U19 international.
https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/21aa.svg http://cobhramblers.ie/nunn-signs-for-ramblers/… (https://t.co/aJiO0ptbeS)

[Mr A]

Hope he does not make a habit of scoring against us.

[culloty82]

Kerry have signed Finnish forward Eemeli Honkola from SJK Seinäjoki, or more accurately, their reserves, but the latter are in the second tier:

https://kerryfc.com/finn-forward-eemeli-honkola-signs-for-kerry-fc/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJJUchleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcRApliRB4PL dZUxCHWWW9EzCVcT8mI4eZd7Da3Kc40VQHUfSAAvsFMVrA_aem _QzTYiGQKuwg09FkXUwBYKQ

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Is the window not closed to sign players from other clubs?