In a notable shuffle between Premier League and Bundesliga clubs, Brentford have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool. The 26-year-old arrives as the replacement for Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who has departed west London to join German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Brentford secured Kelleher for an initial £12.5 million, a fee that could rise to £18 million with performance-based add-ons. The goalkeeper has signed a five-year contract, with the option to extend for an additional 12 months. Flekken, meanwhile, has been sold to Leverkusen for a reported £8 million, ending his short but impactful stint at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Kelleher, who joined Liverpool’s academy in 2015, has long been viewed as one of the most talented back-up keepers in the Premier League. However, with Alisson Becker firmly entrenched as Liverpool’s number one, opportunities for Kelleher have been limited. He made just 25 Premier League appearances in five years, mostly filling in during cup competitions.
Despite the limited game time, Kelleher leaves Anfield with an impressive trophy haul. He played key roles in Liverpool’s domestic cup successes, most notably scoring the winning penalty in the 2022 Carabao Cup final against Chelsea. He also earned medals for two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and another League Cup.
Speaking on his move, Kelleher was clear that the desire for regular first-team football was paramount. “I don’t think it was very difficult for me to leave,” he admitted. “I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a number one and to play every week.”
Brentford’s director of football, Phil Giles, praised Kelleher’s technical ability and character, noting that the club had tracked him for some time. “When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhin as his replacement,” said Giles. “As well as being a very good goalkeeper, I’ve rarely met a player for whom everybody has such positive words to say about his personality and character.”
Kelleher’s arrival is timely, as Brentford look to stabilize their squad after a season of transition. Having finished 10th in the Premier League last season, the Bees will hope that the Irishman can provide a solid foundation at the back as they push for European qualification.
Flekken, 31, moves to a Leverkusen side fresh off a title-winning campaign and now managed by Erik ten Hag, who recently replaced Xabi Alonso after the Spaniard joined Real Madrid. The Dutch international had made 77 appearances for Brentford since arriving from Freiburg in May 2023, keeping 15 clean sheets.
“Mark has done a great job for us and leaves with our thanks and support,” Giles said. “He was a seamless replacement for David Raya and maintained the high standard we expect in that position.”
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes also lauded the signing, saying, “Mark exudes an impressive physical presence. From a footballing perspective, he has certainly been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League over the past two years.”
With Giorgi Mamardashvili set to arrive at Liverpool in July to provide competition for Alisson, the Reds are already planning for the future. For Kelleher, the future is now, and all eyes will be on how he handles the pressure of being Brentford’s number one in the Premier League.
As Brentford fans prepare for the new campaign, they’ll be hoping their new Irish stopper can prove to be a bargain—and perhaps one of the shrewdest moves of the summer.
