General
- Sunday July 28th, 2024 @ 21:45
Aidan Keena Signs For The Saints
St Patrick's Athletic are delighted to announce the signing striker Aidan Keena from Cheltenham Town, subject to international clearance.
The 25-year-old returns to the club seven years after joining SPL side Hearts from St Patrick's Athletic in August 2017.
Keena signed for the St Pat's U19s in January 2016, before quickly progressing to the First Team, scoring in the 5-0 friendly win against Bluebell United and making his league debut under Liam Buckley in February 2017 the opening night of the season against Bray Wanderers.
Having made 5 senior appearances for St Pat's, Keena signed for Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership in August 2017, and went on to have spells at Queen's Park, Dunfermline Athletic, Hartlepool United and Falkirk before returning to the League of Ireland to join Sligo Rovers in January 2022, scoring the winner on his debut against St Pat's at Richmond Park.
The Mullingar native scored 18 goals in 32 games with Sligo Rovers in the 2022 Premier Division campaign, and 21 in all competitions.
That form saw him finish as the 2022 Premier Division top scorer and earned him a place in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year.
Keena joined Cheltenham Town from Sligo Rovers in January 2023, and previously worked with Saints Manager Stephen Kenny with the Republic of Ireland U21s, Kenny gave Keena his U21 debut against Armenia in November 2019.
Aidan spoke to our website shortly after signing:
"I'm buzzing to be back at the club. Everything happened fairly quickly, it's great to get it done and to be back in the League of Ireland.
I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do in terms of coming home or sticking it out in the UK, but as soon as I spoke to The Gaffer (Stephen Kenny) it was fairly clear what I wanted to do, which was come home and get stuck into things with Pat's.
I've played with a few of the boys before, Jamie Lennon with the Pat's U19s, Jake Mulraney in Scotland and Zack Elbouzedi with the Ireland U21s.
I've played against a good few of the other lads in the squad too, so I know what they are about and I think the players and the people at Pat's will help me settle and suit my game.
I'm really looking forward to getting going in Inchicore, Stephen has signed me to score goals and that's what I'm here to do, hopefully that pushes us up the table and hopefully I can get a few in Europe as well."
Keena arrives at Richmond Park following the additions of Joseph Anang, Al-Amin Kazeem and Zack Elbouzedi, Manager Stephen Kenny has been welcoming his fourth summer signing:
"I'm delighted that Aidan has signed for St Patrick's Athletic.
He came through the underage system here before he went to Hearts. Aidan is a player I've worked with before with the Ireland U21s, has a great attitude, works extremely hard, and is a talented striker who loves scoring goals. He will give absolutely everything.
Aidan had an exceptional season at Sligo before he went to England two years ago, he feels that coming back to St Pat's is the next step for him, he is in the prime of his career at 25 and we are looking forward to him having a positive impact on the squad."
Director of Football Ger O'Brien added:
"I am delighted that Aidan has chosen to return to St Patrick's Athletic, he has a great personality and I'm sure his character and drive will be a big addition to our squad."
Keena will wear the number 18 shirt at Richmond Park.
