League of Ireland's key transfers so far ahead of 2025 season
Mirror Sport looks at the key transfer deals completed so far as League of Ireland clubs ramp up preparation for 2025
The 2024 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland campaign was the most dramatic in years, and there is no hanging around ahead of 2025.
Shelbourne’s title party went on for weeks and rightly so, but they are already back in for pre-season with Damien Duff warning that the serious business starts now.
Most of their rivals are back in too, dusting off the cobwebs although Shamrock Rovers are on a well-deserved break after their - still unfinished - European exploits.
Read More: Why Shamrock Rovers' European run is the 'greatest boost' in League of Ireland history
Read More: Damien Duff's stark 'one and done' warning to champions Shelbourne as gruelling pre-season begins
The transfer activity around the league is also ramping up significantly with plenty of key signings already made and a plethora yet to come.
Here Mirror Sport casts a Christmas Day eye over some of the bigger deals that have already been struck in the top flight ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2025 season.
BARRY BAGLEY - to St Pat’s, from Fleetwood Town
This could be a really astute signing by the Saints, who are expected to be in title contention this season. Belfast man Baggley - a Northern Ireland U21 international - really impressed during his two seasons on loan at Waterford from sister club Fleetwood Town. St Pat’s boss Stephen Kenny said of the midfielder: “He’s a left-footed playmaker who has a great understanding of the position and has the flexibility to play in different roles within midfield.”
COLM WHELAN - to Bohemians, from Derry City
The big question is can Whelan get back to his best after two cruciate injuries while at UCD in 2022 and then Derry City in 2023. He was back in contention for the Candystripes last season but made just 10 league appearances and Bohs will hope to revive his fortunes, having been one of the most talked about strikers in the league before his first knee injury. Gypsies boss Alan Reynolds said: “Collie just wants to score goals, and I think he’s a massive signing for the club.”
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ALEX NOLAN - to Cork City, from St Pat’s
Rebels boss Tim Clancy has raided his former club St Pat’s for Nolan who made 22 appearances for the Saints last season, scoring twice, but who had to be patient with 17 of those outings coming off the bench. But Clancy knows what he’s getting and said of the 21-year-old: “Alex is a very exciting young winger who has been in high demand. He’s been a part of an FAI Cup winning side and has featured in a European campaign, so he knows the standards that are expected as we return to the Premier Division.”
DANNY GRANT - to Shamrock Rovers, from Bohemians
This is a really interesting move, although it’s wrong to say Rovers raided their arch rivals for Grant. He was out-of-contract and wasn’t part of the Gypsies plans going forward after an unremarkable second spell last year after returning from Huddersfield Town. But the Hoops feel they can get him back to his best and Rovers boss Stephen Bradley said: "He’s a clever footballer and gives us real directness in our play. He can play anywhere, that’s the beauty of him - he can play on the right or left, or in one of the number 10 positions.”
ANDY BOYLE - to Waterford, from Dundalk
Waterford didn’t hang around on this one and snapped up Boyle in early November, just after Dundalk’s relegation to the First Division. Capped by Ireland, the 33-year-old centre-back was a mainstay in the Dundalk side during their golden years under Stephen Kenny and will be a key signing for the Blues. Boyle said: “It was a difficult decision to leave Dundalk. Over the last number of years it hasn’t gone to plan but I’m looking forward to the fresh start and Waterford are a club going places.”
ELLIS CHAPMAN - to Shelbourne, from Sligo Rovers
The champions ramped up their transfer activity last week, snapping up Daniel Kelly from Derry City, Ellis Chapman from Sligo Rovers and Fleetwood Town's Mipo Odubeko, having already brought in Ryan O’Kane from Dundalk. Chapman, 23, made a strong impression with the Bit O’Red in 2024, having joined on loan initially before making the switch a permanent one. Before that, he was with Cheltenham Town and Lincoln City, with respective loan spells at Oldham and Chesterfield. Shels boss Damien Duff said: “Ellis has a real football brain and sees the game so clearly for such a young man. He can play a few positions and will elevate the quality of the squad.”
SHANE FERGUSON - to Derry City, from Rotherham United
New Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch made a quick move to land the 57-time capped Northern Ireland international, who also boasts considerable experience from his time in England. From Derry, the 33-year-old made 23 Premier League, 170 Championship and 11 League One appearances with Newcastle United, Birmingham City, Millwall and, most recently, Rotherham United. Ferguson was dogged by injuries last year but said: “I’ve been training hard after a frustrating last season and I’m feeling very strong. I’ll really benefit from a full pre-season and be ready to go when the campaign starts.
THOMAS OLUWA - to Drogheda United, from Wexford
Oluwa, 23, will be hoping to settle in the top flight this season having moved around from Shamrock Rovers to Bohemians to Galway United, Irish League side Larne and then onto Athlone Town and Waterford before pitching up in Wexford. He caught Kevin Doherty’s eye during the recent FAI Cup semi-final, chipping in with two brilliant assists in Wexford’s narrow 3-2 defeat to eventual winners Drogheda. Oluwa said: “Hearing the ambitions the club have, stepping back into full time football, it was a no brainer. Being full-time makes you feel like a proper footballer too.”
CONOR KEELEY - to Drogheda United, from St Pat’s
The big man is eager to make up for lost time after a frustrating year at St Pat’s where he was signed - from Drogheda - by Jon Daly, only for Daly to be sacked in May with Keeley then playing a peripheral role under former Ireland boss Stephen Kenny. That opened the door for this swift return to FAI Cup winners Drogheda, where he had spent the 2023 season and will now play European football in 2025. Keeley said: “I was only here for a year, but it really felt like home. It’s exciting times at the club. Winning the cup was massive.”
MATTY SMITH - to Waterford, from Shelbourne
The Scot is going back to where it all started for him in Ireland, having joined Waterford for a second time from champions Shelbourne, where he made 30 appearances in their title winning season. The forward also played for St Pat’s and Derry City, so is tried and tested in the league. Smith, 27, said: “Back in 2020, it was really my first senior club in professional football, so to be back here again five years on is great. I’ve loved it here in Ireland. I’ve got a cup and now a league to my name, so I’m no stranger to it. I’ve grown as a player and can add that bit of experience.”
CIAN KAVANAGH - to Sligo Rovers, from St Pat’s
Kavanagh has signed a two-year deal with Sligo Rovers after leaving St Pat’s, where he made his name as a youth before moving onto Waterford and Derry City and then returning to the Saints last season. He featured 21 times but wasn’t the lead striker, yet could flourish as a key man for the Bit O’Red this season. Kavanagh said: "I want to be on the team sheet every week. That's going to come down to me putting in a good pre-season and performing day in, day out. I want to score as many goals as I can and hopefully we'll finish in a high position. A European spot for 2026 would be great.”
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