Duff and Shels close in on Mipo Odubeko signing

Odubeko made 11 appearances for the Fleetwood Town, scoring once, but the parties agreed a mutual contract cancellation in midweek to facilitate his return to Ireland.

Fri, 13 Dec, 2024 - 20:06

John Fallon

League of Ireland champions Shelbourne are in pole position to bolster their title defence by recruiting former Ireland U21 striker Mipo Odubeko.

Since departing West Ham United, for whom he twice appeared in the first-team, the Dubliner has had spells in Portugal with Maritimo and English League Two outfit Fleetwood Town.

He made 11 appearances for the latter, scoring once, but the parties agreed a mutual contract cancellation in midweek to facilitate his return to Ireland.

Damien Duff’s Reds have led the hunt from the outset.

Despite an offer from Bohemians too, and interest from St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers, the 22-year-old seems at this stage destined for Tolka Park.

Shels retained the vast majority of the squad which won their first title in 18 years on the final night of a frenetic campaign.

Ryan O’Kane, Dundalk’s tricky winger, was recently added and the arrival of Odubeko will increase competition for Seán Boyd and John Martin.

In other transfer news, Shamrock Rovers are set to sell teen striker Cian Dillon to English Championship club Queen’s Park Rangers.

Dillon is an Ireland U19 international and made his league debut at 17 for the Hoops away to Waterford.

He emulates the path of Sinclair Armstrong, who broke into the QPR first team before being snapped up by Bristol City in the summer. Rovers accrued a handsome sell-on slice from that €3m fee.

Fixtures for the 2025 League of Ireland season will be released next Tuesday.

Already the FAI have confirmed the opening weekend will feature a showcase match at Lansdowne Road between Rovers and Bohemians on Sunday, February 16.

The other four fixtures of the opening series, including Cork City’s return to the top-flight, are to be staged on Valentine’s Day.