Kildare complete fourth signing

Defender Keith O’Brien, 24, has completed his transfer from Dublin amateur outfit Cherry Orchard to Kildare County this afternoon, as the Thoroughbreds bolster their ranks in their attempts to finish higher than last season’s agonising fifth place.

First Divison County were just two points away from a spot in the Promotion/Relegation play-offs and were pushed out by Limerick, amid a run of four losses and four draws in their final 11 games.

O’Brien, a left full back, has previous eircom League experience with Athlone Town and Dublin City.

Kildare’s pre-season training regime will get under way next Monday at Celbridge Football Park with boss Eric Hannigan taking charge of a 28-man squad.

The club have confirmed that they expect between 18 and 22 of the completed squad to sign professional forms with them, with the remainder continuing as amateurs.

Kildare have a number of loan deals to complete in the next few weeks, with Monaghan duo Alan Byrne and Alan King and St Pat’s right full back Ger O’Brien having joined the club in recent weeks.