Shelbourne's Gavin Molloy to join Aberdeen
Gavin Molloy (left) celebrating scoring against Waterford in last season's FAI Cup semi-final at the RSC Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)
Shelbourne FC have reached an agreement for Gavin Molloy to join Aberdeen on 1st July 2024, pending international clearance. Molloy joins the Dons on a three-year deal, becoming their first signing of the summer.
Molloy has been a standout player since joining Shelbourne's U19 team in 2021. Over his time with the club, he made 79 appearances.
Molloy expressed mixed emotions about his departure: "It’s emotional to leave; these have been the best three years of my life."
"The fans have made me feel really comfortable, I’ve flourished at Tolka, and I’ve loved every minute of it. Missing out on Europe will be tough but I’ve always wanted to play across the water, which is the dream of any young lad, and I’m fulfilling it now.
"Playing at Tolka and representing Shels has been the highlight of my life. The pride I felt is indescribable. My family are Shels fanatics, so with my bloodline, my grandad, it makes it really special. I’ll be back as a fan, there’ll be no doubt about it."
Shelbourne FC's Technical Director, Luke Byrne, praised Molloy: "While we are naturally disappointed to lose Gavin at this stage of the season, he goes to Aberdeen FC with our best wishes and we will always welcome him back to Tolka Park."
"He has come through our U19s and developed into an integral member of the first team. To watch him mature as a person and develop as a player over the past three years has been a pleasure and we’re all very proud of him. Gavin has huge potential and he will, I’m sure, go on to do great things in his career."
Manager Damien Duff echoed these sentiments: "Speaking on behalf of everyone, I want to wish Gavin the best of luck, he’s a fabulous boy, a class act and he never gave me a moment of trouble. We wish him all the best."
"We’re sad to see Gavin go of course, but that is the way of the world now. The club will move on like it did after Tony Sheridan, Jack Moylan, and Wes Hoolahan left. We’ll do our business, we’ll be sharing some signings very soon, and we’ll adapt as we always have done."
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin praised Molloy, saying, “Gavin has developed a growing reputation in Ireland. He brings great versatility, a positive attitude and both on and off the pitch conducts himself in the correct manner. Gavin is also a leader, something which is important for a strong and successful team, and it’s a characteristic, along with a hard-working attitude which is in the DNA of this club.”
