The Saints add Canadian David Norman Jr and Matt Boylan as transfer window opens

The League of Ireland transfer window officially opened on Saturday, and St Patrick's Athletic have wasted no time in getting business done with two new players joining their ranks. 

Canadian defender David Norman Jr and English goalkeeper Matt Boylan have been added to the Saints' ranks as they sit four points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers. 

Norman - the son of the former UCD player of the same name - is a welcome addition to an Athletic squad who have struggled in defence with injuries to captain Joe Redmond and Tom Grivosti this year.

When extratime.com spoke to manager Jon Daly last month, he confirmed the Inchicore club would be looking in the transfer market for reinforcements particularly in defence. 

Norman was last with Northampton Town in League Two making six appearances but was a free agent after his contract had expired at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Norman was present at the game Friday night and tweeted upon signing, “Excited for this opportunity!”. 

His father, David Sr, played in the League of Ireland previously, togging out for UCD between 1980 and 1982. He also represented his country at the 1986 FIFA World Cup. 

Pats also confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Boylan. The 18-year-old is now the fourth senior goalkeeper on the books at the club with Dean Lyness, David Odomusu and Danny Rogers. This could signal one of the keepers is departing during the transfer window. 

The Athletic stated the former Lincoln and Bromley keeper had been training with the club for ‘a number of weeks’. The Englishman tweeted after the announcement of his signing that he was “buzzing to be here”. 

There was further good news for Saints fans with centre back Jay McGrath signing a new contract to remain at Richmond Park until the end of the season. 

The Ireland under-21 international had signed on loan from Coventry City but his loan had expired at the end of June and was released by his parent club. McGrath has made 20 appearances this season, scoring once against Derry City. 

There were also a couple of outgoings at Pats on Saturday with Serge Atakayi and Vladislav Kreida heading out the exit door. 

Atakayi has joined Waterford on loan until the end of the season after not receiving much game-time while loanee, and Estonia international, Kreida has returned to Flora Tallinn after making 11 appearances.

The Estonian international struggled for form and has become a periphery figure the last couple months. 

League of Ireland history was made last night as 15-year-old Mason Melia became the youngest ever league goal scorerhttps://t.co/2MBJGjwiBQpic.twitter.com/QZ77RLrobw

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) July 1, 2023