UCD boss Andy Myler lauds Liam Kerrigan's 'fantastic' Como move

UCD manager Andy Myler says Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Liam Kerrigan is leaving the club with their "best wishes" ahead of a move to Italian side Como.

The 22-year-old Sligo native, who is a key part of Jim Crawford's Irish U21 squad that qualified for September's European Championship play-offs, will be plying his trade in Serie B next season.

Kerrigan becomes the latest Irish footballer to sign for an Italian club in recent times following in the footsteps of James Abankwah, Festy Ebosele (both Udinese), Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan) and Cathal Heffernan (AC Milan).

Myler confirmed the development after UCD's 1-0 defeat against Derry City in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division on Friday.

"Liam is set to leave the club with our best wishes," said Myler.

"He's got a move to Serie B in Italy to Como so we're absolutely delighted for him. It's sort of exactly the pathway that we want for our players."

Liam Kerrigan, who bagged a goal and performed brilliantly on both wings, is the RTÉ man of the match. pic.twitter.com/DTD7UEXSwS

Myler added that the timing was right now that the former Sligo Rovers player is about to complete his third-level education at UCD.

"Liam will finish his degree this summer," he said.

"He has a commerce degree in his back pocket and he's moving on now.

"He's an under-21 international, doing well there and it's time for him to move on.

"That's the cycle that we have here and we're absolutely delighted for him and we can't wait to see how he gets on in the next stage of his career.

"I think it's fantastic, not only for Liam, but for other players in the league to see there's a whole world of football out there beyond the UK and Ireland. So it's a fantastic move and we're all looking forward to