Brentford have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool in an £18million deal, having seen Mark Flekken join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
It is understood the Bees will pay an initial £12.5million for Kelleher, who had only one year left on his contract at Anfield, with the rest due in performance-related instalments.
Kelleher made 20 appearances last season – largely in two spells when Alisson Becker was injured – and wanted more first-team football.
The arrival at Anfield of Valencia’s Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili, a £29m move agreed last summer, reduced the Irishman’s chances further.
Cork-born Kelleher, who has signed a five-year contract, will now look to establish himself as a genuine Premier League number one with Brentford.
“I don’t think it was very difficult for me to leave (Liverpool),” Kelleher said on the Brentford website.
“I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a number one 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.
“It was interesting to see their point of view on why they wanted to sign me and how they think they can develop my game. It was impressive and I think the club’s a really good fit for me.”
Netherlands goalkeeper Flekken made 77 appearances for the Bees following his arrival from Freiburg in May 2023 and missed just one Premier League match last season.
Flekken’s move to the Bundesliga will see the 31-year-old link up with fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag, the former Manchester United manager having taken over following the departure of Xabi Alonso
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