SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE confirmed the signing of Liam Burt from rivals Bohemians as Stephen Bradley’s side gear up for their four-in-a-row bid.
Scottish midfielder Burt is a major addition to the ranks of the league champions, as revealed earlier this week by The42.
The Hoops have also re-signed nine of their 2022 title-winning squad, including veteran goalkeeper Alan Mannus who turns 41 next May, while Chris McCann and Viktor Serdeniuk have both left the club.
Meanwhile, Bohs have continued to strengthen ahead of the 2023 campaign by bringing in forward James Akintunde from Derry City on a multi-year deal.
Twenty-year-old Burt joined Bohs at the start of the 2021 and made 62 league appearances over the past two campaigns, bagging 15 goals in that time frame as well.
He began his career with Rangers before loan spells with Dumbarton and Alloa Athletic followed, and then some time with Celtic before his move to Dalymount Park took place in February 2021.
He is currently based in Glasgow and will join up with his new teammates shortly to commence pre-season training.
“Liam has really good attributes that can definitely improve us,” said Rovers boss Bradley.
“He’s very quick and direct and he’s a different type of attacking player than what we have in the group at the moment.
✍️ l We are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Liam Burt ☘️
— Shamrock Rovers FC ☘️ (@ShamrockRovers) December 2, 2022
Welcome to the Champions, @LiamBurt10 👋#BurtIsAHoop
“I’ve had a number of conversations with Liam, and we know he’s had interest, both here and away. I’m just delighted that he sees the next step in his career with us and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“We tried to get him in the summer, we obviously didn’t, but we’re delighted to get him now. He’s a player that we’ve liked for some time. His qualities and what he brings to the game is something that will make us better as a team and a group as a whole.
“When you look at his history and the moves that he’s had, it takes a strong character and a strong person to make those moves and I don’t see this one being any different. He’s a great age for us and he has great attributes, so I’ve no doubt he’ll deal with the move quite well.”
🤝 l We can confirm that Chris McCann has left the Club following the expiration of his contract.
— Shamrock Rovers FC ☘️ (@ShamrockRovers) December 2, 2022
Chris departs a back to back League winner after achieving success in both seasons at the Hoops.
We thank him for his commitment and wish him all the very best in his future career pic.twitter.com/wWhiL6XAc8
As well as Mannus, Rovers also confirmed that they have re-signed Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Gary O’Neill, Aaron Greene, Darragh Nugent, Sean Kavanagh, Simon Power and Kieran Cruise.
Meanwhile, new Bohs boss Declan Devine said the decision to bring Akintunde to Dalymount Park was a “no-brainer”.
“I know all of his qualities and attributes,” said Devine, who signed the 26-year-old Englishman for Derry in 2020.
“He will offer us tremendous versatility in the front three positions.
“He also knows the league now, has proven himself over the last number of years here, and is an even better player than when I brought him to Derry City.
“He will give 110% effort in training and in games, and ticks all the boxes of the kind of player we want and need to have at the club.”
Akintunde said that the opportunity to reunite with Devine was a big factor in his decision.
“I am really looking forward to working with him again. He has brought in some really good players too, and I cannot wait to meet them, the staff and supporters.
“It is an exciting time for the club. Going full-time will make a massive difference. It will bring great togetherness and help build a team spirit right from the start.
“I have always enjoyed playing at Dalymount Park too, and I’ve scored a few goals there! So I hope I can score a lot more now.”
