Cork City's Munster rivals Waterford swoop for former goalkeeper Brad Wade

MUNSTER MOVE: Waterford FC announce the signing of goalkeeper Brad Wade ahead of the 2025 League of Ireland season. Pic credit: Waterford FC.

Former Cork City goalkeeper Brad Wade has been snapped up by Munster rivals Waterford as a free agent.

As revealed by the Irish Examiner on Tuesday, Keith Long was in discussions with the 24-year-old about moving to the RSC and his arrival comes immediately after they’d enlisted Northern Ireland U21 goalkeeper Stephen McMullan from sister club Fleetwood Town on a loan.

Wade was voted as the First Division’s goalkeeper of 2024, having kept 21 clean sheets in City’s 36 games over their title-winning season.

City boss Tim Clancy admitted the club were unwilling to meet the stopper’s wage demands on a contract extension and has instead headhunted a pair of new custodians.

Waterford FC are excited to announce the signing of goalkeeper Brad Wade ahead of the 2025 League of Ireland season ✍

Welcome to Waterford, Brad! 🤝#WaterfordFC

— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) January 8, 2025

Wade spent the first seven years of his career at Rochdale, moving to Hereford, Southport and Guiseley prior to joining City for the 2024 campaign.

“I’m happy to sign for Waterford and looking forward to working with Keith Long and (goalkeeper coach) Brian Murphy in particular," he said.

"The manager has explained his ambitions to me for the team for the coming season and I’m looking forward to being part of it.”

Wade will wear the number 31 shirt, with McMullan claiming the No 1 shirt earlier in the week. Waterford, whose first season back in the top-flight resulted in a seventh-placed finish, begin their 2025 campaign by travelling to Sligo Rovers on Saturday, February 15.

Meanwhile, Cork City are believed to be on verge of signing Stoke City’s 18-year-old defender Freddie Anderson on loan.

New Potters boss Mark Rubin’s and director of football Jon Walters are set to allow the highly-rated teen - son of Viv Anderson - who scored on his Carabao Cup appearance against Carlisle United United this season, to join Tim Clancy’s newly promoted team for the season.

Elsewhere, club legend Adam Foley has departed Drogheda United due to the FAI Cup winners upgrading to a full-time set-up.