**Ireland international goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher has left Liverpool after six years to join London club Brentford.**
The move marks a significant moment for Ringmahon Rangers, the Cork-based Munster Senior League side from whom Liverpool signed Kelleher in 2019. Thanks to a 20% sell-on clause included in his contract, the club is set to receive a windfall of €3 million.
This sum is expected to make history, as it will become the highest fee ever paid to an Irish club for a single player.
Kelleher departed the Republic of Ireland camp to finalise the transfer, which coincided with Brentford’s first-choice goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
While it was a slow start to his Liverpool career, Kelleher made his way to second choice in Jürgen Klopp’s ranks.
As Alisson Becker became more injury-prone, the Corkman got his chances to shine, leaving Liverpool with 67 appearances, 25 coming in the Premier League.
It has been a very successful spell for Kelleher, walking away with two Premier Leagues, a Champions League, an FA Cup and two League Cup medals in his tenure on Merseyside.
Kelleher sat down with the club’s media team to give his first interview as a Bee and said, “I’m buzzing, I’m really happy to be here.
“I don’t think it was very difficult for me to leave \[Liverpool\]. I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a No.1 and to play every week.
“I heard of some interest a number of weeks ago. Once I knew Brentford was in for me, it was definitely one I was really excited about and wanted to do as quickly as possible.”
The shot-stopper from Blackrock in Cork will not be a stranger to his new Brentford teammates, as international centre-half Nathan Collins will be in front of him.
He has just come off a season where he was the only outfield player in the Premier League to play every minute.
He will also be accompanied by Sepp van den Berg and Fábio Carvalho, who played for Liverpool alongside Kelleher in recent years.
“I came down to meet the manager and some of the coaches,” he continued.
“They spoke to me about why they wanted me to be here and showed me around the training ground.
“It was interesting to see their point of view on why they wanted to sign me and how they think they can develop my game. It was impressive, and I think the club’s a really good fit for me.
“I obviously spoke to Nathan. He spoke really well about the whole club, and it’s nice to know Sepp and Fábio as well. It’ll make it easier for me to settle in and be nice to have a few friendly faces.”
Kelleher’s first appearance since making the switch to London will be this Friday, as the Republic of Ireland take on Senegal at the Aviva Stadium.