St Patrick’s Grab 25-Year-Old On a Bargain Deal

St Patrick’s Athletic have signed 25-year-old striker Aiden Keena from Cheltenham Town on a free transfer.

The forward only signed for the Robins 18 months ago in a club record deal thought to be worth around €85,000. However, just one goal in 46 outings last season has left him on the fringes of new manager Michael Flynn’s side, meaning he was available for free.

Keena started his career with St Pats before moving to Heart of Midlothian as a youngster. Spells with Falkirk and Hartlepool followed before he moved back to Ireland with Sligo, where he became the league’s leading scorer in 2022, netting 18 times.

That led to his big move back over to the UK, and after netting six times in his first four months, he looked to be a big hit. However, the Robins were relegated in the season’s final week, which led to him assessing his options.

“I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do in terms of coming home or sticking it out in the UK, but as soon as I spoke to the gaffer [Stephen Kenny] it was fairly clear what I wanted to do, which was come home and get stuck into things with Pat’s,” said Keena.

“I’ve played with a few of the boys before, Jamie Lennon with the Pat’s U-19s, Jake Mulraney in Scotland and Zack Elbouzedi with the Ireland U-21s.

“I’ve played against a good few of the other lads in the squad, too, so I know what they are about and I think the players and the people at Pat’s will help me settle and suit my game.”

Stephen Kenny’s side are currently seventh in the League of Ireland table, nine points adrift of a cherished European qualification spot. It’s been three seasons since they’ve missed out on Europe, and they currently lead Vaduz of Liechtenstein 3-1 in the second qualifying round of the Conference League, their first win by two goals in European competition since 2011.

However, Keena will not be available for the second leg this Thursday, but will be eliglbe to play in Europe should they progress to the next round.

Keena’s signing is a big boost for Saints fans, who recently saw leading scorer Ruari Keating move to League of Ireland First Division side Cork City, to help their title charge.

Site Opinion

Sometimes, an Irish player returning to the League of Ireland after a spell in England can feel like a failure. Players like Keena and Keating have tried their luck in England and struggled, but they have been big hits back home.

Keena will be hoping that is the case because if he is a hit, the LOI offers a bigger platform than League Two. Sure, he might get a run out at Valley Parade in League Two or a decent FA Cup tie, but European football? League titles? Irish cups? They’re prestigious moments in a player’s career that the lower reaches of the English game simply don’t offer.