Michael Noonan. Picture: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
Highly-rated teenager Michael Noonan is set to join Shamrock Rovers from Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic.
The Ireland U-17 striker held talks with Hoops boss Stephen Bradley and Rovers officials this week and a two-year contract was agreed, with the deal expected to be confirmed early next week.
Noonan (16), who was handed his league debut for Pat’s last October, has been tracked by a number of top clubs and was invited to travel over to Manchester City with his family last year.
Due to Brexit rules, the youngster is not eligible to move to a club in the UK until he turns 18 but the Premier League champions will monitor his progress in the meantime as he aims to gain first-team experience in the League of Ireland. As Noonan hadn’t signed a professional contract with Pat’s no fee is involved.
Rovers are looking to strengthen their strikeforce after Johnny Kenny returned to parent club Celtic following his two-year loan spell.
Losing former Ballyoulster United schoolboy Noonan will undoubtedly be a blow to Saints manager Stephen Kenny, who is hoping to improve his squad in order to mount a title challenge this season after finishing third in 2024.
The Premier Division kicks off on February 14 with Pat’s at home to Drogheda United, while Rovers face Bohemians at the Aviva Stadium two days later.
Before that, league champions Shelbourne meet FAI Cup winners Drogheda United at Tolka Park on February 7.
