St Patrick's Athletic gazump Galway United to sign left-back Al-Amin Kazeem from Colchester United

Al-Amin Kazeem of Galway United is challenged by Darragh Burns during a 2024 clash at Tallaght Stadium.

Al-Amin Kazeem of Galway United is challenged by Darragh Burns during a 2024 clash at Tallaght Stadium. Credit: Thomas Flinkow (ETPhotos)

St Patrick’s Athletic have refreshed their backline with the signing of left-back Al-Amin Kazeem from Colchester United.

The Essex native arrives on a six-month deal following the expiry of his deal with the League Two club, for whom he made 33 appearances over four years.

22-year-old Kazeem spent the first half of the season on loan with newly-promoted Galway United but turned down a contract offer to make the switch to Inchicore.

"It feels amazing,” Kazeem told the club’s official website. 

“I'm delighted for myself and my family to be joining a big club like St Pat's. I had very positive conversations with the manager and the club and I'm delighted to be here.

“Playing in the League of Ireland for the first half of the season at Galway will definitely help me settle here. 

“I played St Pat's twice so I have a good feel for what the team is like and the style of play, which I think will suit me very much.

“I'm an attacking left-back. I like to go forward and join in the attacks and help create things and I enjoy the defensive side of the game too.

“I've been at Colchester United since the age of 14/15. I enjoyed it there and also really enjoyed my loan spell at Galway and getting minutes there.

“I didn't know much about the League of Ireland before I came here but I've loved it so far, it's a good league, and very demanding, which I think I can succeed in.



“I'm looking forward to playing in the St Pat's colours and having the fans behind me. I know Pat's have a very big crowd who are very supportive of their team, so I hope they can receive me positively. 

“I want to win games, hopefully I can help St Pat's succeed and do as well as we can."

Athletic gaffer Stephen Kenny added: “"Al-Amin has excellent attributes for a left-back, he's really quick and a good attacking footballer but also loves to defend. 

“Often you can get left-wingers who are converted to left-backs and they like getting forward, but defensively they still have to learn the game, but Al-Amin certainly loves to defend as well.

“He has very good attributes and at 22, he has the capacity to improve and get better. He is someone with great values as a person and he has a real hunger to fulfill his potential. 

“Al-Amin is very professional in the way he lives his life and the way he prepares, he will be an excellent addition to St Patrick's Athletic and we're looking forward to seeing him play."



Kazeem will wear the number 30 shirt for the Saints - as he did with Galway - and will be available for Thursday’s trip to Waterford, pending international clearance.

He is the Athletic's second new signing of the summer following the return of goalkeeper Joseph Anang following the expiry of his West Ham United contract, having spent six months on loan last season.

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