With a number of Ireland players already on the move this summer, some have been part of rather intriguing transfers over the last few weeks.
Dara O'Shea and Chiedozie Ogbene got big moves to the Premier League, while Nathan Collins broke his own Irish transfer record with a move to Brentford. The likes of Shane Duffy and Ryan Manning have also been part of interesting free transfers.
Elsewhere, a number of young players are on the hunt for their next teams after being released at club level. This can be a pivotal stage in a player's career, with their next destination often going a long way towards defining the remainder of their career.
One such youngster has now found a new home.
Ireland U21 star set for brave European move
After his release from West Ham at the end of the campaign, Portuguese outlet Diário de Notícias reported that Ireland U21 striker Mipo Odubeko has joined Portuguese second tier club Marítimo on a free transfer.
The move would soon be confirmed by the club.
🇮🇪 Mipo Odubeko
🗒 20 anos
⚽️ Avançado
✍️ https://t.co/5GiKDc09KE
Bem-vindo ao Maior das Ilhas! 🟢🔴#CSMaritimo #MipoOdubeko pic.twitter.com/JENKO64hDS— CS Marítimo (@MaritimoMadeira) July 17, 2023
The 20-year old has endured a couple of difficult seasons at club level. Having looked like he was on the verge of a first team breakthrough at West Ham, he never made that jump. He would then go on loan to the likes of Huddersfield Town, Doncaster Rovers, and Port Vale, all to mixed results.
Whereas many young players in his situation would make a move to a lower league club in England, his decision to go to Portugal is a brave one. He clearly felt that his game is better suited to the continent that playing in the lower divisions of English football, something many players are often slow to accept.
Based on the island of Madeira, Martimo were relegated from the top tier of Portuguese football at the end of last season. As a result, you would imagine that they are likely to be among the contenders for promotion in the upcoming campaign.
Liga Portugal 2 is not one we are accustomed to seeing Ireland players in, although Odubeko will be hoping that it proves to a catalyst in getting his career back on track. He had drawn interesting from a number of European sides, although he clearly felt this was his best option.
Hopefully it works out for him, with the striker having the talent to make an impact at both club and international level in the future.
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