Soccer

Ireland’s Festy Ebosele confirms move to Udinese

Wexford teenager has played a key role for Wayne Rooney’s Derby side this season

Derby County’s Festy Ebosele has confirmed his move to Udinese. Photo: Richard Sellers/PA Wire

Tue Mar 22 2022 - 06:45

Festy Ebosele’s move from Derby County to Udinese has been confirmed by the Italian club with the Wexford man signing on a five-year deal.

The Ireland under-21 international is out of contract at Derby at the end of the current season and has signed a pre-contract with Udinese to make the switch in the summer, becoming the second Irishman to do so after St Pat’s defender James Abankwah who will also join in the summer.

Ebosele has impressed for Wayne Rooney’s team this season in their efforts to avoid relegation despite a 21 point deduction in November. Ebosele has made 32 appearances so far in the campaign for Derby with eight points currently separating them from safety.

Udinese currently sit 14th in Serie A and the 19-year-old Irish forward will hope to break into the team next season.

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Ireland manager Stephen Kenny said at the weekend that he was happy for Ebosele but perhaps would have preferred him to remain at Derby.

“I’d have been happy for him to say at Derby to develop,” the manager said.

“Wayne Rooney has done a terrific job developing those young players.

“I’m not against the fact he’s going to Italy. If he’s going to play regularly, great. I think the key thing is wherever he goes he gets the opportunity to play.”