Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has completed a move to Brentford for an initial £12.5m, with performance-related add-ons potentially taking the fee to £18m, according to Sky Sports.
The Republic of Ireland international has joined the Bees on a long-term deal, with Sky Sports reporting that Brentford had been tracking Kelleher for some time. The 25-year-old was a key player for Liverpool last season, helping the Reds secure a second Premier League title under Jurgen Klopp.
Kelleher, who has been capped 22 times by his country, only started 10 games for Liverpool last season, with Alisson Becker ahead of him in the pecking order. However, he played his part in the team’s success, impressing with his saves and distribution. As Sky Sports notes, Kelleher “played his part in Liverpool’s title success” and “featured 10 times in the Premier League as he covered for the Brazilian through injury and unavailability.”
Brentford had been facing competition from other clubs for Kelleher’s signature, including Leeds and West Ham. However, the Bees’ strong relationship with Liverpool, having secured Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho from Anfield last summer, helped to secure the deal. According to Sky Sports, “Brentford had been tracking Kelleher for a long time” and “were interested before they signed Mark Flekken in 2023, but Liverpool have only been open to selling since securing Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia last summer.”
The move for Kelleher comes as existing Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken completes a move to Bayer Leverkusen. The German club have agreed a fee in the region of £11m (€13m) with Brentford, with Sky Sports reporting that Flekken will link up with former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag in Germany.
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz has analysed the move for Kelleher, suggesting that the goalkeeper deserves a chance to shine as Brentford’s new number one. As Sky Sports notes, “Kelleher finishing second to Flekken in passes attempted per 90 last season is a positive sign” and “with countryman Nathan Collins and former Liverpool defender Van den Berg important parts of the Brentford defence, it feels like a well-suited move for both goalkeeper and his new club.”
The summer transfer window is now open, and Sky Sports will provide all the latest transfer news and rumours. The Sky Sports app and website will offer dedicated transfer coverage, including live Q&As with reporters throughout the summer.
In related news, The Transfer Show returns to Sky Sports News from Sunday June 1, with a weekly schedule of live shows throughout the summer transfer window. The window will reopen on Monday June 16, with the deadline set for Monday September 1.
For more information and to stay up-to-date with the latest transfer news, visit Sky Sports.
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