Hickey departs as Athlone Town confirm new arrivals
Athlone Town will be without the services of influential defender Patrick Hickey for the 2024 season, with his move to Galway United confirmed in recent days.
Confirming the signing of Hickey, Galway United posted online: "Galway United are thrilled to announce the signing of American defender Patrick Hickey for our 2024 Premier Division campaign."
"Patrick Hickey has since spent the last two years of his career with Athlone Town from 2021-23, all while completing a scholarship at TUS Athlone, from which he graduated recently. He has been a key player for Athlone Town, becoming one of the division’s leading defenders, being strong in the air and very physical.
"Hickey has now joined the Tribesmen for our 2024 campaign in the Premier Division after standout performances for Athlone Town in the First Division," added Galway United, whose current manager is Lecarrow native John Caulfield.
A native of Des Plaines in Illinois, Hickey (25) can also operate as a defensive midfielder, and he joins Galway after spells in Spain and most recently an impressive season with Athlone.
Hickey's transfer to Galway comes a few weeks after last season's top scorer Frantz Pierrot moved to Drogheda United.
But the departures of Hickey and Pierrot have been offset somewhat by the arrival of Ruben Candal, who has previously played with FC Porto and has represented Portugal at U15, U17, and U19 levels.
Announcing the signing if Candal, Athlone Town provided more information about a player who looks like an exciting addition to the squad.
"The 20-year-old dynamo, who primarily operates as a left winger and attacking midfielder, brings with him an impressive resume, having developed his skills at the esteemed FC Porto and represented the Portuguese national team at various youth levels.
"His participation in the UEFA Youth Champions League served as a testament to his exceptional abilities and potential. Notably, Candal has also proudly donned the Portuguese national team jersey, showcasing his talent on the international stage at U15, U17, and U19 levels. His inclusion in the national setup further underscores his status as a rising star in the football world.
"Athlone Town AFC, in collaboration with the Valeo International Academy, an elite global football training organization, has demonstrated its commitment to nurturing young and ambitious talent. The club’s recent success, making it to the play-offs this past season for the first time in years, has laid the foundation for a promising future."
Speaking about the signing of Candal, Athlone Town AFC director of football Dario Castelo, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Ruban to the Athlone Town family. His pedigree, having come through the ranks of FC Porto and represented his country at multiple youth levels, speaks volumes about his abilities. We believe he will be a crucial addition to our squad and contribute significantly to our continued growth and success.”
Candal himself expressed his excitement, saying: “I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter in my career with Athlone Town AFC. I’ve heard great things about the club’s ambition and commitment to developing young talents. I can’t wait to contribute to the team’s success and make the fans proud.”
Meanwhile, Athlone Town has announced the signing of Kerryanne Brown for the women's squad for the 2024 season.
Stating that it was "absolutely delighted" to confirm the signing of Brown, Athlone Town stated: "At 20 years of age, Kerryanne has already made her mark with over 70 appearances in the NI Premiership and has proudly represented the Republic of Ireland at U16 and U17 levels. Her talent and professionalism promise to bring a new dimension to our team.
"As we look forward to the season ahead, we’re excited to add Kerryanne to the already impressive squad of players we have assembled ahead of the 2024 season."
Athlone Town manager Ciarán Kilduff said: “It’s great to have Kerry join our team, and she is exactly the type of player and person I want at our club. She is an exciting prospect for Irish football and I’m looking forward to getting to work with her and the squad in the coming weeks.”