Keith Andrews Loaned Out to Watford

This week has seen mostly lower level clubs sign new players as teams in the Premier League and Championship have left England to continue their pre-season overseas. Loans are becoming more predominant too, as clubs look for short term deals for their teams. These will hopefully put the finishing touches to the squads before the season starts in just two weeks.

Keith Andrews has joined Championship team Watford on a season-long loan from Bolton Wanderers. Andrews has been deemed surplus to requirements at Bolton and was sent out on loan last season too. The midfielder was on loan to Championship side Brighton as they finished sixth and lost to Derby in the play-offs.  Andrews has played thirty five times for the Republic of Ireland and was part of the team that competed at Euro 2012. He was Ireland Player of the Year in 2012.

Another player who has been sent out on loan is Tottenham Hotspur’s Kenneth McEvoy. The midfielder has joined Peterborough United in League One on a season-long loan. McEvoy has recently played his first game for the Republic of Ireland U21 squad, coming on as a substitute in the 2-1 loss to Montenegro in March of this year.

Another League One team to complete a loan signing was the MK Dons. They signed Will Grigg on loan from Brentford. The striker helped Brentford achieve promotion to the Championship last season. Grigg is also a Northern Ireland international and has so far received five caps.

Stephen Henderson has signed for Charlton Athletic on a three-year deal. The goalkeeper signed on a free transfer after he was released by West Ham. Henderson has played for the Republic of Ireland from U16 to U21 level but is yet to make a senior appearance.

Leyton Orient in League One have signed defender Shane Lowry from Millwall. Lowry played for the Republic of Ireland U21 squad in 2008 and 2009 before choosing to play for Australia. He is in line to make his first appearance for Australia soon, after being selected in the squad that will face Slovenia in a friendly next month.

Another League One deal, as Michael O’Connor signed a one-year deal with Port Vale. The midfielder joins the club from Rotherham United, who he helped achieve promotion from League One last season. Michael O’Connor has been in and out of the Northern Ireland set up, making his last appearance in September 2013. He has eleven caps to his name so far.

Northern Ireland U21 international Andrew Mitchell has completed a move to Conference side Southport. The midfielder joins from Annan Athletic and was previously a player at Rangers and Man City. Mitchell has played from U16 level to U21’s for Northern Ireland.

And finally, U19 international Sam Byrne has signed for Everton on a free transfer after being released from Manchester United. The striker was on loan at Carlisle United for the second half of last season where he made sixteen appearances. He scored once as Carlisle were relegated from League One. Byrne is currently an U19 international for the Republic of Ireland and has scored seven times in ten matches.