NEIL FARRUGIA has left Shamrock Rovers for Barnsley – but the Hoops look set to keep hold of Darragh Burns.
Farrugia has moved to the League One Tykes after agreeing a deal that will keep him at Oakwell until 2027.
Out of contract at the end of last month, the 25-year-old flew to England earlier this week to wrap up the move having long been keen to test himself abroad.
Farrugia said: “This is a big club full of ambitions and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’ve come over to England for that new challenge, to take that next step and I’m going to embrace it.”
Barnsley Sporting Director Mladen Sormaz added: “Neil had a good number of options in both the last transfer window and this one but he sees an opportunity to progress here at Oakwell.
“This signing means we have great competition for the left-back position and Neil also has the ability to play further up the pitch.
“He has also played in some big games this season which is also really important, Shamrock (Rovers) have been impressive in their European campaign this season.
“And hopefully, Neil can bring that experience to Oakwell as we head into the business end of the campaign.”
Farrugia’s departure from Rovers is a blow where he was a key man following his signing from UCD in the summer of 2019 as he helped the club win a FAI Cup and four titles.
Injury curtailed his involvement over his first two years at the club, but he then became a fixture in the side and trained with the Ireland senior side in 2023 under Stephen Kenny.
Hoops’ boss Stephen Bradley has already signed a ready made replacement for Farrugia in Danny Grant, while former Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty is expected to sign from Oxford United.
Further signings are expected as Rovers look to strengthen for the 2025 season and their Conference League play-off clash with Molde next month.
Seán Hoare has departed for St Patrick’s Athletic though Bradley hopes to keep hold of on-loan trio Johnny Kenny, Markus Poom and Darragh Burns who were all
Kenny is currently back training with parent club Celtic as Brendan Rodgers considers whether to allow the striker – who scored 20 goals last season – go out on loan again.
But the Hoops chances of landing Burns have increased after MK Dons boss Scott Lindsey suggested that the 22-year-old’s future is in Ireland.
Burns spent 2024 on loan with the Hoops though he has six months remaining on his contract with the Dons.
It is understood that the Hoops enquired about signing him permanently, and Dons gaffer Lindsey – who took charge last September – has suggested that Burns will likely not return to England.
He told the MK Citizen: “It will be suck-it-and-see with Darragh. I think we’re happy for him to be out there, he’s done well in Ireland, so we’re happy for that to continue.
“Things could happen quickly but there’s always a chance he could come back.”