Brentford complete deal to sign Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool

Brentford have completed the signing of Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool for an initial £12.5m fee, with performance-related add-ons increasing the eventual fee to £18m.

Brentford have reportedly agreed a separate deal for their former No. 1 Mark Flekken to move to Bayer Leverkusen for £11m.

The Bees, who were believed to have agreed to a deal to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Kelleher, have now finalised the move with all documents signed between all parties.

The Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper penned a five-year contract in a deal that includes a club option to extend his stay by a further 12 months.

The Premier League champions, Liverpool, will now make room to welcome Giorgi Mamardashvili for his summer arrival from Valencia.

kelleher had been on the radar for Brentford before securing now-former goalkeeper Mark Flekken’s signature in 2023.

Kelleher, capped 22 times by his country, secured a second Premier League title with the Reds this season but only started 10 games as Alisson continued ahead of him in the pecking order.

Kelleher had previously been linked with moves to Leeds United, West Ham United, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, and Manchester United

The 26-year-old, who came through the Liverpool academy, had just a year remaining on his contract to expire, prompting the need to cash in on him this summer.

With Mamardashvili set to arrive from Valencia this summer, Kelleher was likely to find himself as the third choice if he were to remain at Anfield next season.

Kelleher has seen himself good enough to be the first choice at any top club – and that has been his ambition for next season and beyond.

Speaking after signing for Brentford, the goalkeeper explained his reason for signing for Brentford from Liverpool.

“I’m buzzing, I’m really happy to be here,” said the 26-year-old.

“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.

“When I come back for pre-season, all focus will be on what I want to do next year; to work on certain goals and what I need to improve on, and to have a really good season for Brentford.”