REPUBLIC OF IRELAND striker Leanne Kiernan has signed for WSL2 side Newcastle United, while Sligo Rovers have announced the signing of Jack Shorrock on loan from Port Vale.
Kiernan (27) joins the Magpies for an undisclosed fee after five years at Liverpool.
The Cavan native scored 23 goals in 76 appearances during an injury-hit time on Merseyside.
Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, Kiernan now drops to the second tier on a permanent basis, joining Aoife Mannion on Tyneside.
We’re delighted to announce the signing of Ireland international forward Leanne Kiernan on a permanent deal from Liverpool! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/z3Lhs7CC2r
“I’m looking forward to a fresh start and meeting the fans. It was a dream of mine to come and play professionally and to go to a club like Newcastle, it really felt right when the contact came in.
“I would say I’m a quick attacker in behind, so I feel like I can bring my strengths and hopefully score loads of goals to help the team out.”
The 38-cap international first moved to England in 2018, representing West Ham United before moving to Liverpool.
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She was instrumental when Liverpool secured promotion to the WSL in 2022, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 13 league goals, before injury hampered her progress.
Kiernan will now look to kick on with the Geordies, who are managed by former Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby.
“Leanne brings a wealth of experience from the WSL, WSL2, and her national team to our squad and has shown in all those experiences the quality that she has,” said Oxtoby.
“She adds versatility to the forward line, with her pace and intelligent movement making her a threat in the way we want to play. We are looking forward to what she will bring to our squad.”
Newcastle finished sixth in WSL2 last season, nine points off the promotion spots. Kiernan is the second Irish player to leave Liverpool in recent weeks after Denise O’Sullivan’s NWSL return to Gotham FC.
Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of Jack Shorrock on loan from Port Vale until the end of the season ✍️
Meanwhile, Darren Purse has made his first addition as Sligo Rovers manager as Jack Shorrock joins on loan from Port Vale until the end of the season, subject to international transfer clearance.
The 19-year-old is a versatile left-sided player who can play in both attack and defence.
Shorrock arrives at the Showgrounds with some first-team experience in England. A product of Port Vale’s academy, he became the club’s youngest-ever first-team player when he made his senior debut at 15 in an EFL Trophy victory over Shrewsbury Town in September 2022.
At 16, he became Port Vale’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he scored against Barnsley in December 2023.
“I’m really happy to be here,” he said after the announcement.
“It all came around quite quickly, but Sligo seems like a great place to live and to develop, not only as a player but as a person as well.
“I heard a lot of positive things about the club and the supporters, so it was an easy sell for me.
“There is a good group of lads here and good staff, and I want to come in and do good things for the club.”
Sligo Rovers can confirm that captain Will Fitzgerald has left the club on a permanent transfer and will continue his career at Tallaght Stadium. We thank Will for his contribution during his time at the Showgrounds and for the example he set as captain and a role model at the… pic.twitter.com/XNZFSdQObm
Sligo Rovers have also confirmed that captain Will Fitzgerald has agreed a permanent transfer with Shamrock Rovers.
“We thank Will for his contribution during his time at the Showgrounds and for the example he set as captain and a role model at the club,” a statement from the club reads.
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Ireland's Kiernan joins Newcastle from Liverpool, Sligo Rovers sign Port Vale teenager on loan
LAST UPDATE | 20 hrs ago
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND striker Leanne Kiernan has signed for WSL2 side Newcastle United, while Sligo Rovers have announced the signing of Jack Shorrock on loan from Port Vale.
Kiernan (27) joins the Magpies for an undisclosed fee after five years at Liverpool.
The Cavan native scored 23 goals in 76 appearances during an injury-hit time on Merseyside.
Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, Kiernan now drops to the second tier on a permanent basis, joining Aoife Mannion on Tyneside.
“I’m really excited,” said Kiernan.
“I’m looking forward to a fresh start and meeting the fans. It was a dream of mine to come and play professionally and to go to a club like Newcastle, it really felt right when the contact came in.
“I would say I’m a quick attacker in behind, so I feel like I can bring my strengths and hopefully score loads of goals to help the team out.”
The 38-cap international first moved to England in 2018, representing West Ham United before moving to Liverpool.
She was instrumental when Liverpool secured promotion to the WSL in 2022, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 13 league goals, before injury hampered her progress.
Kiernan will now look to kick on with the Geordies, who are managed by former Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby.
“Leanne brings a wealth of experience from the WSL, WSL2, and her national team to our squad and has shown in all those experiences the quality that she has,” said Oxtoby.
“She adds versatility to the forward line, with her pace and intelligent movement making her a threat in the way we want to play. We are looking forward to what she will bring to our squad.”
Newcastle finished sixth in WSL2 last season, nine points off the promotion spots. Kiernan is the second Irish player to leave Liverpool in recent weeks after Denise O’Sullivan’s NWSL return to Gotham FC.
Meanwhile, Darren Purse has made his first addition as Sligo Rovers manager as Jack Shorrock joins on loan from Port Vale until the end of the season, subject to international transfer clearance.
The 19-year-old is a versatile left-sided player who can play in both attack and defence.
Shorrock arrives at the Showgrounds with some first-team experience in England. A product of Port Vale’s academy, he became the club’s youngest-ever first-team player when he made his senior debut at 15 in an EFL Trophy victory over Shrewsbury Town in September 2022.
At 16, he became Port Vale’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he scored against Barnsley in December 2023.
“I’m really happy to be here,” he said after the announcement.
“It all came around quite quickly, but Sligo seems like a great place to live and to develop, not only as a player but as a person as well.
“I heard a lot of positive things about the club and the supporters, so it was an easy sell for me.
“There is a good group of lads here and good staff, and I want to come in and do good things for the club.”
Sligo Rovers have also confirmed that captain Will Fitzgerald has agreed a permanent transfer with Shamrock Rovers.
“We thank Will for his contribution during his time at the Showgrounds and for the example he set as captain and a role model at the club,” a statement from the club reads.
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