Caoimhin Kelleher reveals why he left Liverpool as £18m Brentford transfer sealed | OneFootball

Republic of Ireland international replaces Mark Flekken as the Bees’ new No1 after years as Alisson’s deputy at Anfield

New arrival: Caoimhin Kelleher has signed a five-year contract after leaving Liverpool for Brentford

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Brentford have announced the signing of goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool on a five-year deal.

Kelleher joins Brentford following the departure of first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken, whom Bayer Leverkusen announced as a new £8.4m signing, also on Tuesday.

Cork-born Kelleher is a two-time Premier League winner with Liverpool, where he made 67 appearances.

The 26-year-old moved to Anfield in the summer of 2015 from Ringmahon Rangers.

He will replace Flekken as Brentford’s new No1, having been deputy to Alisson for a number of years at Liverpool.

Kelleher, who will reunite with former Liverpool team-mates Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg in west London, said: “I’m buzzing, I’m really happy to be here.

“I don’t think it was very difficult for me to leave [Liverpool]. I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a No1 and to play every week.

“I heard of some interest a number of weeks ago. Once I knew Brentford was in for me, it was definitely one I was really excited about and wanted to do as quickly as possible.”

Brentford’s director of football, Phil Giles, added: “I am very pleased to welcome Caoimhín to Brentford. We have scouted him in the past and were aware that he had a year to go on his contract with Liverpool this summer.

“When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhín as his replacement.

“As well as being a very good goalkeeper, I’ve rarely met a player for whom everybody has such positive words to say about his personality and character. I’m therefore confident he’ll be an excellent addition to the squad.”