St Patrick's Athletic swoop for Waterford forward Matty Smith as four academy stars sign first pro deals

Premier Division St Patrick’s Athletic have unveiled the signing of Matty Smith from top-flight rivals Waterford.

Smith’s arrival follows news that academy quartet Cian Kelly, Kian Corbally, Josh Keeley and Kyle Robinson have all signed professional deals with the club.

23-year-old Smith joined Waterford from Dundee United after having two previous loan spells at Montrose and Cove Rangers while at United.

While at the Blues, the Scottish attacking midfielder made 18 appearances for the club and scored twice.

“It feels good,” Smith said after signing while speaking with Pats’ media team. “It’s a pleasure to join and I’m relay looking forward to it.

“I’ve been I contact with the manager for a couple of months now and I was very eager to get myself in.

“I liked the way how he saw he could improve myself and the how the season will go so it was a no brainer really.”

Smith’s arrival to Richmond Park comes on the same day that the Athletic have confirmed that Cian Kelly, Kian Corbally, Josh Keeley and Kyle Robinson have all signed their first pro deals with the club.

Kelly joined the Saints underage set-up from Shamrock Rovers ahead of the 2019 season and has played with the club’s under-17s and 19s in recent years.

Corbally has played the whole way up with Pat’s since 2017 – and he scored his first senior goal against Sheriff YC in the 2018/19 Leinster Senior Cup semi-final.

Keeley also commits to the fold for 2021 after impressing at under-19 level with the club during the 2020 season. His brother Conor joined Irish League side Ballymena United last night.

And Robinson also signs his first pro deal with the club after impressing in recent times at Richmond Park. He has also played at the underage grades for Drogheda United.