BRISTOL CITY’S wantaway centre-back Richard Keogh signed a two-year deal with League One leaders Carlisle United yesterday to end a protracted transfer saga.
The 22-year-old former Stoke City trainee joined the Robins in 2005 and went on to captain the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in October 2006.
But the 6ft defender failed to settle with City, despite being named the club’s young player of the year in 2006-07, and refused to extend his contract at Ashton Gate.
Loan spells at Huddersfield Town, Carlisle and Cheltenham Town followed last season, with Keogh last featuring for City in the League at Carlisle in April 2007. This summer he went on trial at Championship rivals Doncaster Rovers, before heading further north to sign for the Cumbrians.
The defender impressed during his seven-match loan stint last Christmas and made the permanent switch to Brunton Park yesterday for an undisclosed fee, believed to be lower than City’s original asking price.
Keogh, who played 34 games for City and scored five goals, was out of contract but the club were entitled to a fee as he is under 24.
Carlisle manager John Ward said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have added Richard to the squad. “It is particularly good to sign a player we know, which means there won’t be any bedding in period.”
Ward said the deal had been in the making for some time after the player proved a hit with his new team-mates, not just the management.
He said: “Richard made a good impression when he was here last season. Quite unusually for a loan player, all the players took him out for lunch the day before he went back to Bristol City, whereas many loan players just come and go.
“He had made himself a real favourite in the group and the boys will be pleased we have brought him back. He is a young player who wants to do a lot in his career and hopefully he can do it with us.”
Johnson has had defensive worries after losing Christian Ribeiro to a serious knee injury and Jamie McCombe to a fractured cheekbone in the past fortnight. But on Monday the City manager signed Andy Webster on loan from Rangers to plug the defensive hole left by the 6ft 5in McCombe and he wished Keogh well in his future career.
He said: “He’s been on his way for a long time now. We wish him all the best and hope he does well.”
The 22-year-old former Stoke City trainee joined the Robins in 2005 and went on to captain the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in October 2006.
But the 6ft defender failed to settle with City, despite being named the club’s young player of the year in 2006-07, and refused to extend his contract at Ashton Gate.
Loan spells at Huddersfield Town, Carlisle and Cheltenham Town followed last season, with Keogh last featuring for City in the League at Carlisle in April 2007. This summer he went on trial at Championship rivals Doncaster Rovers, before heading further north to sign for the Cumbrians.
The defender impressed during his seven-match loan stint last Christmas and made the permanent switch to Brunton Park yesterday for an undisclosed fee, believed to be lower than City’s original asking price.
Keogh, who played 34 games for City and scored five goals, was out of contract but the club were entitled to a fee as he is under 24.
Carlisle manager John Ward said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have added Richard to the squad. “It is particularly good to sign a player we know, which means there won’t be any bedding in period.”
Ward said the deal had been in the making for some time after the player proved a hit with his new team-mates, not just the management.
He said: “Richard made a good impression when he was here last season. Quite unusually for a loan player, all the players took him out for lunch the day before he went back to Bristol City, whereas many loan players just come and go.
“He had made himself a real favourite in the group and the boys will be pleased we have brought him back. He is a young player who wants to do a lot in his career and hopefully he can do it with us.”
Johnson has had defensive worries after losing Christian Ribeiro to a serious knee injury and Jamie McCombe to a fractured cheekbone in the past fortnight. But on Monday the City manager signed Andy Webster on loan from Rangers to plug the defensive hole left by the 6ft 5in McCombe and he wished Keogh well in his future career.
He said: “He’s been on his way for a long time now. We wish him all the best and hope he does well.”
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