Kelleher Completes £18m Brentford Move As Flekken Heads To Leverkusen

Brentford have signed Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. The deal could be worth up to £18 million with add-ons. Kelleher, from Ireland, hopes to play regularly for the first team.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool agreed to sell backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford for £12.5 million. The amount could go up to £18 million if certain conditions are met. The 26-year-old Irish player will have his medical exam today. This follows his years of playing backup to Alisson Becker at Liverpool. He played 67 times for Liverpool since his first game in the 2019-20 season.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Kelleher has wanted to leave Liverpool for a while. He wants to play regularly for the first team. He almost left before this season but stayed and played 20 times. Liverpool’s new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili pushed Kelleher to leave. Kelleher won six titles with Liverpool, including last season’s Premier League title. This was his last season with the club.

BRENTFORD’S GOALKEEPER SHUFFLE

Kelleher’s move to Brentford happens as their current goalkeeper Mark Flekken is leaving. Flekken will join Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth €10 million, or £11 million, including add-ons. Flekken is waiting to pass his medical with the German team. They will be led by former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag next season. Brentford finished 14th in the Premier League last season. They were just five points above the relegation zone. They hope Kelleher will improve their defence.

WHAT NEXT FOR KELLEHER?

Kelleher will finally be a first-choice Premier League goalkeeper. He has waited a long time for this chance. Brentford will play newly-promoted Leicester City in their first game of the 2025-26 Premier League season. The game is in just over two months. Brentford finished near the bottom of the table last season. They want to do better. They finished 14th last season, seven points behind Crystal Palace in 13th place. Kelleher’s signing is a big investment for Brentford. They want to be a stronger team in the Premier League.