Dundalk sign Welsh U21 goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd from Brentford

Oriel Park

Nathan Shepperd signs for the Lilywhites. Credit: Ben Whitley (ETPhotos)

Dundalk have announced the signing of goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd from Brentford FC.

The Welsh under-21 international made 45 appearances for Brentford’s B team after signing from Swansea’s academy in July 2019.

The 21-year old’s impressive form saw him named B team player of the year in 2020.

Shepperd earned his international debut against the Republic of Ireland last March, coming on for the second half. The Republic of Ireland went on to win the friendly 2-1.

Ex-Dundalk left-back Val Adedokun, who moved to Brentford’s B team last August, spoke to Shepperd in the lead up to the signing and gave the goalkeeper a feel for the club.

“I spoke to Val, and he was telling me about the club,” Shepperd told dundalkfc.com.

“He spoke very highly of Dundalk and said it would be a good move for me, I didn’t really need much convincing after that. I’m buzzing and really happy to be here.”

“I really enjoyed my time at Brentford, but I feel like the time is right now for me to move on and hopefully do really good things at Dundalk.”

With seven new signings to date this winter, head coach Stephen O’Donnell expects Shepperd to slot into the squad well and challenge for the number one shirt.

“We are delighted to have him,” O’Donnell said.



“Nathan is at a good age and has a very good pedigree. He was named captain of Brentford’s B team shortly after he arrived there which shows his personality and he’s a player that will fit into the squad seamlessly.”

“For goalkeepers, it can be hard getting a starting point as there’s only one position you can play, and it can be hard to get onto the ladder, so this is the next step for Nathan.”

Upon his departure from the London club, Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane told brentfordfc.com, “Nathan leaves with all of our best wishes.”

“To see him develop with us on the pitch as well as off it as a human being has been great, he’s an amazing person who will be going to a team who have been involved in European football. It will be a really good challenge for him as he continues to push on with his career.”

“Not all of the players are able to get through to the first team, but Nathan has been able to benefit from many opportunities to train alongside them, and we know that Thomas (Frank) and the rest of the staff think highly of him because he is such a well-rounded individual and we hope he can go on to have a very good career.”

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