The Rumour Mill Strikes Back

The turn of the year is always sure to focus League of Ireland minds on the season ahead and the Blues certainly aren’t hanging around. Already with two weeks of training under their belts since their return on December the 10th, the team recommence their preparations today and the intensity will increase as they begin training six days a week. The first preseason match takes place on Tuesday night against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds and we are likely to see some further additions to the squad in the coming days.

One recognisable face to watch out for around Carriganore this week is that of Charlie Lyons. A former Cork City captain, he has had a combustible relationship with Blues fans, but might be swapping Leeside for Suirside soon. The tough-tackling, left-footed centre half fits the profile of signings made by the club this winter – physical, hungry and with experience in the League of Ireland. Lyons came through the academy of Preston North End before spending four seasons with Cobh Ramblers, interrupted by a year with John Caulfield’s Galway United in 2022. Jon Daly’s former colleague Tim Clancy signed Charlie for Cork City ahead of their promotion-winning season and awarded him the captaincy last year for his first season of Premier Division football. Lyons played 28 league games for City last year, but was stripped of the captain’s armband after a red card in July with manager Ger Nash stating it was ‘for private reasons.’

A notable strength of the 25-year-old Corkman is his ability to score goals – seventeen in his career to date. Waterford relied on three players (Amond, Lonergan, Noonan) for 77% of the team’s goals last season and Daly will want a greater contribution from defence and midfield. Lyons signed a new two-year deal with City after winning the First Division title in October 2024 so it would most likely require a transfer fee to lure him to top flight football with the Blues. John Sheridan tried to bring him to Waterford in the summer of 2020, but Lyons chose to stay with Cobh. Now, it appears that the 6’2” defender could follow Benny Couto and Evan McLaughlin eastwards to the RSC.

 

Charlie Lyons receiving the First Divsion Player of the Year award in 2024

Meanwhile, another centre back, 21-year-old Lee Jonas from England, is on the move and it may well be to Waterford. He has been without a club since he was released by Liverpool last summer from their Under-21 squad. A nephew of world champion boxer Natasha Jonas, Lee shouldn’t lack fight or toughness. He joined the Reds at Under-12s from Everton, signed his first professional contract in 2021 and then an extension a year later. A former England U19 international and U18s captain, Jonas played 38 times for Liverpool in Premier League 2 - mainly in the middle of the defence, but occasionally at right back. Regular teammates included Jarrell Quansah, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha. Upon his release, Jonas travelled to Spain for preseason training with Stockport County of League One, but is still searching for a new club. Described by Liverpool as “good on the ball and strong in the air”, Jonas would be a strong addition to the defensive ranks. 

One player who was strongly linked with a move to the RSC was veteran midfielder Greg Bolger. The 37-year-old native of New Ross has won the League of Ireland with three different clubs and would have brought plenty of experience, but whether he still has the legs for Premier Division football after an injury-ravaged season is questionable. Instead, he has re-signed for Cork City and will be aiming to win the First Division for the third time in his career.

I believe there’s a winger training with the club this week who will likely feature at some point on Tuesday. This is an area Daly will look to strengthen, particularly as it appears that young Josh Miles has left the club and will remain in England. A reunion with John Coleman at Aldershot could be on the cards for the Liverpudlian. Coleman, who signed Josh’s father John for Accrington Stanley in 2007, brought Miles to Waterford last July on an 18-month contract. Josh made four starts and two appearances off the bench with the Blues losing all six during a rough patch through August and September. Used as a wing back, Miles struggled with the defensive side of the game and will be more comfortable playing an attacking role closer to home. 

 

The departure of winger Josh Miles is expected to be confirmed soon

There has also been speculation that Finlay Armstrong, Coleman’s first signing, could depart the club too. The left-footed defender also joined on an 18-month contract and was solid in the three games he played before an injury put him out of contention for the rest of the season. He assisted two goals on his debut in the 5-1 FAI Cup win against St Mochta’s and played 80 minutes of the superb 4-2 win away to Galway. However, he left the field injured after an hour of the next match at home to St Pat’s and never returned to the matchday squad.

Should old acquaintance be forgot going into the new year? I prefer to keep an eye on all ex-Blues and hope they find happy landing spots. It was good to see Grant Horton sign for Harrogate Town in League Two this week. Others to have found new clubs are James Olayinka (Derry City) and Maarten Pouwels (HHC Hardenberg). Striker Muhammadu Faal is expected to sign for Salisbury FC in the National League South soon. 

The unofficial League of Ireland news page has suggested Brad Wade could be a target for Galway United who have yet to sign a goalkeeper after the departure of Brendan Clarke to Athlone Town and loanee Evan Watts’ return to Swansea City. Galway could be a possible destination for Matty Smith too, although there has also been talk that the winger may need to retire through injury – hopefully not. There has been nothing concrete on defenders Ryan Burke, Darragh Leahy, Adam Queally, Kacper Radkowski or Navajo Bakboord as of yet, while Kyle White and Ben McCormack are also still on the market. Jordan Rossiter may need surgery that could keep him from looking for a club in England this month. 

 

Former Liverpool U21 defender Lee Jonas is looking for a club

Finally, some long shots for those who might like a punt at the bookies. Three Irish players who are on the market and have yet to sign anywhere. I understand there is a chance that Dubliner Glory Nzingo will return to the League of Ireland. A Republic of Ireland Under-21 winger with lightning pace, Glory stood out for St Patrick’s Athletic academy teams and was already on the fringes of their senior team before switching to Stade de Reims in France as a 16-year-old. Two years later, Swansea signed him for an undisclosed fee and he spent last year in the MLS Next Pro (American third tier) playing on loan for Carolina Core. It appears that Nzingo may return to Ireland on a free transfer from the Swans in January and his pace will be desirable for many clubs including Waterford – probably the one area in which Jon Daly’s attack is lacking. 

Two interesting free agents from last season’s First Division are midfielder Justin Ferizaj and winger Ajibola Oluwabiyi. Ferizaj, who turns 21 next week, scored that wonderful last-minute overhead kick against Treaty United to send Bray into the playoff final against Waterford. That strike - typical of his inventiveness – was voted First Division Goal of the Season. The Shamrock Rovers academy graduate made his debut for the Hoops’ first team aged 17 and was a regular contributor in their league-winning teams of 2022 and ’23 before moving to Serie A’s Frosinone for two years. He returned to Ireland with Bray last summer and was a key figure in their promotion push. Ferizaj played all ninety minutes of the Tolka Park decider and forced Stephen McMullan into an incredible save to keep the score at 2-1 to the Blues. Justin, whose younger brother Richard was a substitute that night, left Bray at the end of the season and has yet to confirm his next move.

Aji Oluwabiyi is another exciting prospect who Waterford might consider. Like Ferizaj, he is a product of Rovers’ academy and like Nzingo, his speed could be beneficial to the Blues’ attack. Stephen Elliott signed Oluwabiyi for Wexford last summer and he lit up Ferrycarrig Park for the remainder of the season. The Irish Under-19 international has pace, power and skill which was exemplified by a thunderous winning goal against Finn Harps in August. Every time I watched Wexford, Oluwabiyi stood out as an absolute nightmare for full backs to mark. As yet unsigned for 2026, it would be surprising if the 18-year-old stays in the First Division and his potential should be screaming out for Wexford’s southeastern neighbours amongst others.