Galway United complete 'coup' with signing of Huddersfield Town stopper Ryan

Galway United manager Shane Keegan describe as 'a real coup' the signing of Tadhg Ryan after the goalkeeper signed a one-year deal from Huddersfield Town.

 

Limerick native Ryan arrives at Deacy Park on the back of four years with the Yorkshire club, where he failed to breach the first team but played extensively for the under-23 side.

 

The 20-year-old has senior experience, having spent three months on loan with Radcliffe Borough at the end of 2016.

 

Keegan believes Ryan is the modern, ball-playing goalkeeper that can spearhead his side's effort to gain promotion back to the top level following the departure of Conor Winn and Charlie Burns.

 

"I think it's a real coup,” the manager told the club's official website.

 



“I think Tadhg has tremendous potential and he could be a huge addition for us.We initially spoke to Tadhg during the transfer window last season, only for him to pick up an injury.

 

“We've been talking now for the best part of a month, he's been extremely mature and professional in the approach he's taken.

 

"He's taken quite a leap to agree to a termination of his contract at Huddersfield. He was just hungry to get going and playing games at first team level.

 



“He was adamant that he wanted to be here for the first day of pre-season. His attitude through this whole process has been superb.

 

"Tadhg is unbelievably hungry to get involved in a first team environment. For all the development players get over there, you really can't beat first team football, where winning is all that matters on a Friday night.

 

"He has been brought up as the modern goalkeeper, he was clipping pin-point passes, he's got super hands.

 

“He's a player you look and think isn't the biggest, but yet he seems to have a tremendous spring and a real willingness to come and claim the ball. It's certainly an exciting one."

 

 

Ryan added: "Myself and Shane have spoken about his style of football, how he likes to play out from the back, which I like to do as well. His style of football and my style of football compliment each other. We agree on a lot of things.

 

"A goalkeeper should be capable of playing out from the back and also being able to keep the ball out of the net, obviously that's your number one job. I'm excited to get going and the aim is to play good football this season. We'll make it a good one.

 

"It's all about performance and results. These are games that matter to people in the club and the city and county. Each game will be vital and I'm looking forward to playing with that type of pressure.

 

"Game time is so important, especially for a young goalkeeper. You need to play as many games as you can and learn the trade as young as you can. Game time is number one and obviously doing well in those games.

 

"I've just done half a season with Huddersfield under-23's, pre-season is not only for fitness, it also helps to get to know the lads and their style of football.

 

"The past four years at Huddersfield, I've worked really hard. I think I was the top one percent physically in terms of gym work and power. All that hard work that I've done, I'm ready to show everybody in the country how good I am.

 

"Our first pre-season game against Limerick will be good, I'm looking forward to that, come crunch time, when the season starts, hopefully we'll all be raring to go."

 

Ryan played junior football with Cappamore Celtic and Fairview United before joining the Limerick academy as a 15-year-old.

 

It was on a pre-season trip to England that Ryan caught the eye of Huddersfield scouts when he was part of a Limerick side that beat a Terriers academy selection 4-1.

 

Ryan could make his Galway United debut against his hometown club when they face Limerick in a friendly next weekend.

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