Four Academy Players Sign Professional Contracts

Dundalk Football Club are delighted to announce that four of our Academy players have signed three-year professional contracts, beginning with the 2027 season.

Jamie Grace, Marcel Gora, Jordan Vocella and Tunde Anunlopo each put pen to paper on Thursday night, joined by their families for the occasion.

First team manager Ciaran Kilduff said: “It’s a great statement from the club. The academy is something we are trying to promote. It has been a high priority for Chris Clinton to develop it, and you can see that from the appointment of Tom Mohan as Academy Director.

“It’s a big win for the coaches. We have a lot of hard-working and talented coaches in our academy and their work has not gone unnoticed. We have not been afraid to give young players their opportunity at the club and we will continue to do so. It’s a very positive development and there is more to come.”

Academy Director Tom Mohan said: “It’s a milestone day for the players and their families. It’s a great reward for their hard work, and for the work of their families and all the coaches here at the club.

“All the coaches in the club, such as Gavin Fleming, Shane Grimes, Stephen Hutchinson, Stephen Todd and Ciaran Shevlin, are playing a major role in the development of players. Their grassroots clubs also deserve a lot of credit for their role in developing their talent.

“It’s an incentive for all players here at the club. Everybody can see now that there is a real pathway from the Academy into the first team and the opportunity to earn professional contracts. Ciaran has shown that if you are good enough, you are old enough, and that is a real incentive for players who want to come through.”

MU17 coach Stephen Hutchinson added: “It’s great for the coaches and the young lads. It’s a huge boost to everybody involved in the academy to see that everyone’s hard work gets recognised, and that young players who come through the ranks here can begin their professional journey at Oriel Park. Jordan, Marcel and Jamie have come right through from the pre-academy, and Tunde has been magnificent since he arrived at the start of the season.”

Everyone at Dundalk Football Club would like to congratulate Jamie, Marcel, Jordan and Tunde, and wish them the very best of luck as they begin their professional careers.