It’s only ever been a question of when for Caoimhin Kelleher. When would the [Liverpool](https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/) goalkeeper, widely seen as one of the top backups in all of football, depart the club in search of a starter’s role somewhere else.
It’s been heavily rumoured the now 26-year-old would leave for at least the past two summers, with many surprised when the 2023 and 2024 summer windows shut with him still at the club. The same won’t be true in 2025.
That’s because as of today, Kelleher is not Liverpool’s backup. As of today, [he’s Brentford’s starter](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/caoimhin-kelleher-joins-brentford-permanent-transfer). Or at least that will be the intention of the player and his new club after agreeing a deal that could rise to £18M with add-ons.
It’s less than Liverpool were seeking for Kelleher the last two years, reflecting both the fact the Ireland international was heading into the last year of his Liverpool contract and that the club had committed to finding him a new home.
Kelleher’s willingness to stay at Liverpool in past seasons was hugely beneficial to the club, with first choice Alisson Becker arguably the best in the world but seemingly prone to falling injured for a month or two every season.
That ensured Kelleher would see regular action and not just spot cup duty, but a starter’s role was always the end goal and he was never going to get that with the Reds, so it’s good to see him getting the move he wants now.