CORK CITY HAVE confirmed the signing of striker Liam Nash from Gillingham FC.

Nash, 23, joined the League One side in the summer of 2017 on the back of a season with non-league Maldon & Tiptree in which he netted 37 times in 46 appearances.

He has made just 15 appearances for the Kent club in the two seasons since, however, finding more luck with sixth-tier Concord Rangers whom he joined on loan last October.

Nash was taken on as a trialist by John Caulfield last month and netted twice under the name ‘Liam Ward’ in Cork City’s 3-1 win over Killarney Celtic just over a fortnight ago. He scored again under his own name against Kerry District League the following evening.

Two years ago, Nash turned down an appearance on reality TV show Love Island in order to join Gillingham from Maldon & Tiptree, explaining to Kent Online at the time: “Football comes first for me. If I had gone there [on Love Island], I wouldn’t have had this chance — definitely not. If you are chasing your dream, which I was, I had to put my faith 100% in football.”

He did note, however, that he “would have ruffled some feathers” had he instead partaken in the popular ITV series.

Nash challenges Charlton's Billy Clarke during a League One encounter in 2017. Olly Greenwood Olly Greenwood

Speaking to Cork City’s official website on his move to the League of Ireland, Nash said: “It’s brilliant to get finally get it over the line and I am very excited for this new chapter. It is a new challenge and I can’t wait to get going.

“The lads are great, the staff are great and we are looked after very well here. The training is good, the tempo, the intensity… and I am really looking forward to getting my head down and getting some games.

I feel fit and ready to go, and hopefully when I get the opportunity I will take it with both hands. I want to get myself back out there, my confidence, scoring goals and working hard. I just want to give everything on match day and hopefully progress and get some goals.

City boss Caulfield added: “We are very happy to have Liam coming in. It has been ongoing for a few weeks, so we are delighted that everything is now resolved and Liam can officially sign. Liam has been in with us for a few weeks and he done has very well. He is a very good finisher and we are happy to have him in.

Liam sees this as a real opportunity; he knows he needs to come here and get goals. He’s been in training and has been at the last few games, including the President’s Cup, so he knows the intensity and the standard of this league. He looks like a real poacher and we believe he is a guy who can get some goals for us.

Nash will wear the number 29 at Turners Cross.

Caulfield also today confirmed that forward Ronan Coughlan has left the club by mutual consent, while John Kavanagh has been loaned out to Finn Harps until the summer.

“I want to wish Ronan all the best,” said Caulfield. “He came in halfway through last season but maybe didn’t get as many games as he would have wished. He was a gentleman and he worked really hard, but he was looking to play regularly, so we agreed to let him move on.

“Kav has returned to Finn Harps on loan. He had a very good second half of the season there last year, and it is a chance for him to continue playing regularly. Harps were very happy with him, so this move is a good fit for all parties.”

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