Ringmahon Rangers, an amateur Irish soccer club, is set to pocket a remarkable $3.4 million (£2.5 million) from Caoimhin Kelleher’s move to Brentford.
The Liverpool backup goalkeeper is expected to complete his move to the Bees soon after a deal worth up to $24 million (£18 million) was agreed between the clubs. Kelleher was at Brentford’s training ground on Monday to complete a medical and was allowed to temporarily depart Ireland’s training squad.
While Brentford fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the 26-year-old, those associated with Cork-based Ringmahon will be deliriously excited.
The Irish Examiner claims the Cork-based side will receive 20 percent of Kelleher’s transfer fee, which will “set the club up financially for decades”. It is also the biggest ever transfer sell-on price in Irish history, eclipsing the income Shamrock Rovers received from Gavin Bazunu’s move to Southampton.
The outlet also claims that the initial €3M windfall could increase in years to come, with the transfer including various attainable add-ons that could be triggered. Ringmahon would be entitled to 20 percent of any future funds.
The club has reshared a post on its Instagram account with the reported news from the Irish Examiner, hinting it is indeed set for an unprecedented windfall.
Kelleher’s move will end his half-decade stint as Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper. The stopper has been outspoken on his desire to leave the Reds this summer and hold down a regular starting berth elsewhere.
Caoimhin Kelleher confirmed he is looking to leave Liverpool this summer
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Kelleher had been linked with a move to several Premier League clubs, including West Ham United, Leeds United, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Bournemouth. But Brentford moved quickly to secure his services, with Mark Flekken expected to join Bayer Leverkusen.
Given Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to arrive at Liverpool this summer, and the Georgian has revealed he has no plans to leave on loan, Kelleher could have found himself operating as the Reds’ third-choice stopper.
That option certainly doesn’t appeal to Irish manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, who claimed last month that he wants Kelleher to play regular minutes and is “too good” to be a back-up.
Caoimhin Kelleher and Alisson Becker will be vying to start for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final
Kelleher has been Alisson's long-term back-up (Image: Getty Images)
Speaking on Monday, his international teammate Jake O’Brein backed the Liverpool academy graduate to succeed at Brentford.
“It was a difficult one because he was No. 2 at Liverpool but got a really good keeper ahead of him,” said the Everton defender.
“He’s definitely up there with the keepers in the Premier League and I think next season he’ll show that, that he’s up there with the best.
“I think he’s proven from the games played for Liverpool that he can be up there with some of the best keepers in the league.”