Shamrock Rovers have signed ex-Bohemians striker Jonathan Afolabi on a multi-year deal.
The former Republic of Ireland underage international arrives from KV Kortrijk of the Belgian Pro League.
Afolabi was in the Hoops academy in the embryonic stages of his career.
He moved to Southampton’s Premier League academy before signing for Celtic in 2019, then had loan spells at Dunfermline, Dundee, Ayr United and Airdrieonians before signing for Bohs in 2022.
He had a big impact at Dalymount Park, finishing joint top scorer in the Premier Division in 2023 and making the LOI Team of the Year.
KV Kortrijk snapped him up in January 2024; his most recent playing spell was on loan at Dutch First Division side Cambuur.
The 26-year-old becomes the latest player to cross the divide and join the Gypsies’ bitter rivals, with Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley delighted to get his man.
Jonathan Afolabi in action for Bohs
“He has been for some time,” Bradley said when asked if Afolabi had been a long-term target.
“I was laughing about it with Jonathan and his agent this morning. We’re delighted to get this done because Jonathan had options here and also away in Belgium and England. So we’re delighted he sees the next step of his career at this club.
“Jonathan is a really good age, a really good profile for us and is someone I feel will complement the team and vice versa. We know he’s a player of really high ability who I believe will help us kick on to the next level.
“There won’t be any real bedding-in period. He had an injury this year, but he has worked hard to come back from it and has been training the last while. He won’t be 90 minutes ready yet, but it won’t be much in terms of mentally getting his head around it, being here as he understands what the league is about.”
Afolabi said he’s hungry to help the club kick on in the second half of the campaign with so much to play for. Shamrock Rovers are seven points clear at the top of the table, and begin their European journey against Maltese side Floriana in the first round of Champions League qualifying on Tuesday.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Afolabi. “I played here for a few years when I was younger, so it’s nice to be back at Rovers, obviously a good few years later.
“I always have the same goals everywhere I go. It’s just unfortunate with injuries in the last year. So everywhere I go, I want to score goals.”
“(Bradley) has laid out a very clear plan for me and it aligns with what I want as well. It was a very easy decision in the end because it’s someone that wants the best for you. So in that sense, the call was very easy. It didn’t really take much to convince me.”