Kelleher has left Liverpool to join Premier League rivals Brentford.Kelleher has left Liverpool to join Premier League rivals Brentford.
Kelleher has left Liverpool to join Premier League rivals Brentford. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Brentford announced the departure and incoming of a goalkeeper on Tuesday with an arrival from a Premier League rival.
The 26-year-old was expected to leave Anfield this summer in pursuit of greater playing time, having struggled to oust experienced Brazilian shot-stopper Alisson from the starting XI. The Republic of Ireland international had impressed when called upon through injury and turned the heads of Premier League suitors.
Kelleher made seven back-to-back league starts between October and December with Alisson unavailable. Liverpool were unbeaten across those matches but the player remained a back-up in the Champions League too.
Brentford confirm Kelleher transfer from Liverpool
The west London squad have seen first choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken leave the club to take on a new challenge at German giants Bayer Leverkusen and have wasted no time in appointing a replacement. Kelleher, who already has 25 Premier League appearances to his name, is reported to have been signed by the Bees for £18 million.
In his first interview with the club Kelleher said: “Really happy to be here, really excited. I’d heard of some interest a number of weeks ago and was excited. Last week, I went down to meet the manager, some of the coaches, sporting director and CEO, they spoke to me about why they wanted to sign me and showed me around the training ground. I was all pretty happy with that and excited to join once I met them.
“I don’t think it was very difficult for me to leave. For my own career, the time was right for me to go and be a number one and play every week. The decision was easy for me. Once I knew Brentford was in for me it was what I was really excited about and wanted to do as quickly as possible.”
Chelsea and Aston Villa beaten to transfer deal
That comes as a blow to all the player’s suitors, but perhaps especially Chelsea and Aston Villa. The goalkeeping position is a conundrum for Enzo Maresca with both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen ridiculed for high profile mistakes this season.
Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that Sanchez is expected to be sold by the club, which would point to the need to sign a proven top flight shot-stopper such as Kelleher. Metro today added that Chelsea and Aston Villa had ‘missed out’ on the Kelleher transfer.
Villa number one Emi Martinez is also the subject of rife transfer interest with admirers in the Premier League as well as Saudi Arabia. Kelleher had been touted as his potential replacement at Villa Park but Unai Emery will have to look elsewhere.
In other news, Chelsea 'tell' player's representatives they are ready to activate release clause amid 'deadline'.
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