Keegan re-signs with Galway United

On Wednesday evening it was announced that Galway United had re-signed New York native Jake Keegan for the forthcoming 2015 Premier Division season.

Last season's top scorer at the club, the news will come as a great boost to the team in time for their season opener against Derry City on March 6^th. Hitting the net 17 times in 35 appearances, his goals were one of the most visible reasons behind the club's success under the guise of Galway FC.

Still only 23 years of age, the former FC Darmstadt player, who also boasts a trial with Maccabi Haifa on his CV, remains a player in the formative stage of his career. So, it will be interesting to see just how much growing he continues to do in the coming months.

But if last season's displays at Eamonn Deacy Park and beyond are anything to go by, he should remain at the forefront of the team's goal-scoring department.

Indeed, speaking to galwayunitedfc.ie, Keegan was keen to let us all know just how happy he was to have confirmed his commitment for his second season in Ireland.

“I can't wait to get back over to Galway,” the American said.

“2014 was a fantastic season for everybody involved at the club, I was just happy to be a part of a good group of players.

“Everybody in Galway made me feel so welcome, it was an easy decision to re-sign with the club.

“I'm really looking forward to the challenge of Premier Division football, I want to test myself against the best players in the Country.”

Unlikely to be involved in their first friendly against Finn Harps in Headford, Keegan isn't expected to return to Galway’s pre-season build-up until the end of the week due to a delay in finalising a work permit, but Manager Tommy Dunne was nonetheless relieved to at last have confirmation of his signature.

“We were beginning to worry that we might not have Jake in time for the new season so it's a timely boost to finally get the deal over the line”, the Cork man said.

“Jake is expected back in Galway by the end of the week. He's a great lad, who improved a lot over the course of last season and that was down to his own desire to work hard and train properly.

“We're thrilled to have him back at the club,” Dunne concluded.

Pacey, hard-working and with a great eye for goal, the American star will certainly be one of the players to watch in 2015, especially for any League of Ireland fans that were unlucky enough not to see him in action last season.

The signing of Keegan brings Galway United's total squad number up to 17 players, but expect one or two more to come before the start of the league campaign as the Galway club continue to bolster their unit for what should be a testing but exciting campaign.