Kelleher set for Brentford move in goalkeeper shake-up
BRENTFORD are set to complete a major goalkeeping transfer as they bring in Liverpool's Caoimhín Kelleher.
Brentford have agreed to an initial £12.5 million fee with Liverpool for Kelleher, with performance-based add-ons potentially increasing the total to £18 million. The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international is scheduled to undergo a medical on Monday and is expected to become Brentford's new number one goalkeeper for the 2025/26 season.
Flekken, who joined Brentford from Freiburg last summer, will make the switch to Germany in a move worth around £11 million. The 31-year-old Dutchman is set to sign a contract with Leverkusen until 2028, joining up with former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
Despite being Liverpool's backup to Alisson Becker, Kelleher enjoyed a lot of success during his time at Anfield. He made 25 Premier League appearances and over 40 in cup competitions during an era in which Liverpool claimed two Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, the FA Cup, League Cups, and a UEFA Super Cup.
Brentford see the Cork native as an ideal fit for their team. Last season, he ranked among the Premier League's top goalkeepers in save percentage and completed passes. In fact, Kelleher finished just behind Flekken in passes attempted per 90 minutes.
For the Republic of Ireland, Kelleher is already a key figure, having earned 22 senior caps. His move to Brentford is expected to cement his role as Ireland's first-choice keeper. National team boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has repeatedly called for Kelleher to find regular playing time.
'He's too good not to be playing,' Hallgrimsson said, according to Sky News. 'He's already shown he can perform at the highest level, whether it's in the Premier League or Champions League. What matters most is that he's on the pitch regularly.'
With the deal nearing completion, Kelleher is joining a list of Ireland's greatest goalkeepers.
Pat Jennings, widely regarded as Northern Ireland's greatest goalkeeper, earned 119 caps over his 20-year career. He played in two World Cups, including 1982, when he was 41. Jennings won the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur before a move to Arsenal in 1977, where he added another FA Cup final appearance.
Harry Gregg played 25 times for Northern Ireland and was named Best Goalkeeper at the 1958 World Cup, helping the team reach the quarter-finals. He is also remembered for his actions during the Munich Air Disaster, rescuing several people from the wreckage.
Packie Bonner, playing for the Republic of Ireland, made over 80 international appearances. His defining moment came at the 1990 World Cup, when he saved a penalty in a shootout against Romania, helping Ireland reach the quarter-finals for the first time ever.
Roy Carroll earned 45 caps for Northern Ireland. At club level, he won the Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester United and later enjoyed success with Olympiacos in Greece.
From local clubs to the World Cup, Kelleher joins a list of goalkeepers that will be remembered in Irish football history.
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