Grimes joins Cork City

Cork City boss John Caulfield has signed his second goalkeeper of the July transfer window in the form of Eric Grimes, who has put pen to paper on a short-term deal until the end of the season at Turner's Cross.

With Alan Smith, the regular back-up to first choice Mark McNulty, currently out injured, Caulfield moved to sign Wexford Youths 'keeper Mathew Connor earlier this month and has now added more cover in the form of Cork native Grimes.

The 21 year old shot stopper was released by English Championship side Leeds United at the end of the 2015/16 season. Having been unable to force his way into the first-team reckoning at Elland Road, where he had been since 2011, Grimes has opted to pursue his career in his home county.

And the former Ringmahon Rangers man, who has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level, insists he isn't joining just to make up the numbers.

“I’m delighted to sign with the top club in Ireland and I am hoping to push on and end the season by winning the league,” Grimes told CorkCityFC.ie. “I’ve been training for the last couple of weeks and things have been top class, so I am really looking forward to getting into it.

“I know all the lads and I have settled in very well. I want to get my head down, train hard and see if I can push Mark McNulty; I’m coming in to push for a place and to be competitive.”

With City's campaign extended by their Europa League heroics, Caulfield will be happy to have added further strength in depth to his squad. The City boss believes Grimes will learn a lot from McNulty, who has the most cleansheets in the Premier Division at present, with 12 from 17 league games, as well as two in European competition.

“Eric has been training with us for a couple of weeks and we are delighted to have him,” Caulfield told CorkCityFC.ie. “He has a bit of experience and he will come in and train hard under Phil Harrington and learn from both Phil and Mark McNulty.

“He loves the set-up here and, with Alan Smith injured, he is looking to push Matthew Connor and Mark McNulty all the way, and I am expecting that of him. He has massive potential,” added Caulfield. “I am looking forward to working with him until the end of the season and we will see where it goes after that.

“His career is only starting, he needs to build himself back up and get his confidence back. He’s up for the challenge, and there is no doubt that he has everything in front of him.”