Connor and Williams join Athlone Town

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The Athlone Town Stadium is home for Matt Connor and Dean Williams in 2025 Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)

Athlone Town have announced their first two signings for the 2025 season with an experienced goalkeeper and striker joining their ranks.

27 year old netminder Matt Connor arrives in the Midlands after leaving hometown club Waterford where he made over a century of appearances since first joining the club in 2014. The former Irish Colleges and Universities goalkeeper has also had spells at Wexford, Cork City, Bray Wanderers and Galway United. With the departure of Enda Minogue from last season’s Play Off squad, Connor presents an experienced replacement.

24 year old striker Dean Williams was part of Damien Duff’s title winning Shelbourne side in 2024 and returns to the Athlone Community Stadium on a permanent deal, six years after spending time on loan at the Midlanders from Shamrock Rovers. After three loan spells away from Rovers (Athlone Town, Bray Wanderers, Longford Town), he signed permanently with Drogheda United for the 2022 season before catching the eye of Bohemians where he spent 2023 ahead of joining Shelbourne for 2024.

With a goalscoring record of 15 goals in 32 First Division appearances ( including 8 in 15 during his previous 2019 loan spell), Dario Castelo’s men will be hoping to offset the loss of top scorer Dean Ebbe with Williams’ arrival. 

 
In re-signing news, returning for 2025 are defenders German Fuentes Rodriguez and Brian Torre.