Irish on the move: Browne's Preston return off, Ogbene completes Lincoln loan move

Black Cats boss Régis Le Bris, despite not including the Irishman in matchday squads for his opening two games, wasn’t pushing Browne out the door.

He’ll require squad depth as his side compete on four fronts this term – including at least eight Europa League group phase matches from September 16 against AZ Alkmaar.

The 31-year-old ended his 18-month wait for his 38th Ireland cap in March by coming on in the World Cup playoff semi-final in Czechia, unfortunately being one of the two players to miss penalties in the shootout.

Should game time continue to be scarce in his final season under contract at the Stadium of Light, he can opt to seek a move again during the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, Browne’s fellow Leesider Chiedozie Ogbene has joined Championship newcomers Lincoln City on loan from Ipswich Town.

The winger will be welcomed by another ex-Cork City player, Josh Honohan, along with fellow compatriot Mason Melia, the teen striker on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Derby were chasing Ogbene but did manage to lure Eiran Cashin back from Brighton and Hove Albion on loan. 

Injury prevented the centre-back from elevating his international career to a senior cap in May but a succession of games should keep him in the picture for the Uefa Nations League four-game window from September 24.

💬 Chieo after his move to City. pic.twitter.com/JFu9TXKFhQ

— Lincoln City FC 🇺🇦 (@LincolnCity_FC) September 1, 2026

Ogbene’s parent club, Ipswich, have agreed a fee with Shamrock Rovers for the transfer of goalkeeper Alex Noonan, the 18-year-old understudy to Hoops first-choice Ed McGinty.

Ipswich, where Ireland goalkeeping coach Rene Gilmartin is on the staff, have tracked Noonan for months but had to withstand late competition from Danish club Midtjylland for his signature on a long-term contract.

Preston will have an Irish recruit in this window, as Sligo native Johnny Kenny finalises his transfer from Celtic for a fee believed to be around €3m. A cut of 10% will be allocated to his former club, Sligo, as part of the terms brokered in his €150,000 move to the Scottish giants in 2022.

Ireland U21 full-back Sam Curtis is joining Corkonian Cathal Heffernan at Cambridge United, moving temporarily from Sheffield United, while Hibernian defender Warren O’Hora travelled south to undergo his medical with a view to switching to Leicester City.

Despite being left idle at Everton, Jake O’Brien was retained by David Moyes. The Ireland defender has fallen out of favour under the Scot, not even being exposed to minutes during last week’s EFL Cup win at Preston North End, but it's understood initial enquiries by a couple of fellow Premier League outfits didn’t convert into solid bids.

The tall, versatile defender from Youghal must make do with sticking around the Hill Dickinson Stadium competing for a slot against a field of rivals that now includes his former Lyon teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles following his deadline line arrival.