Town have confirmed the signing of central defender Dara O’Shea from Burnley on a five-year deal.

As reported yesterday, the Blues have paid an initial £12 million for the Dubliner plus a further £3 million in add-ons.

“I’m really excited to sign for the club,” O’Shea told TownTV. “It was really hard not to pay attention to everything the team was able to achieve last season and to have the chance to join a club with such ambition and momentum was really attractive.

“The manager [Kieran McKenna] was a huge part of why I wanted to come here and I’ve really admired what he and the team have done over the last couple of seasons, so at this stage of my career it’s the perfect time to make the move.

“I want to play in the Premier League and test myself against the best players in the world, which is something I want to do for as long as possible, and I can't think of a better place to do that.

“I know quite a few of the lads in the squad and the style of play really suits me, where I can show my strengths and improve my weaknesses, so I’m looking forward getting to work as soon as possible and being part of the culture.”

The Blues moved for O’Shea after a proposed switch to Wolves broke down. Earlier in the month, it was claimed that the Republic of Ireland international had turned down the chance to join Town, opting instead to move to Brentford.

However, that switch never materialised and on Monday it was reported that the Blues were eyeing a move for the Dubliner.

That was played down by Town sources with the Blues at that time understood to be looking at signing Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodžić.

O’Shea, meanwhile, was getting close to joining Wolves, but that move broke down as the clubs couldn’t agree a fee. Town then turned their attention to the 6ft 1in tall centre-half.

Twenty-six-times-capped O’Shea started his English career with West Brom having signed from schoolboy club St Kevin’s. While with the Baggies, he spent time on loan at Hereford an Exeter.

O’Shea moved to Turf Moor for £7 million last summer and was a regular for the Clarets as they were relegated from the Premier League during 2023/24.

The signing of O'Shea could see the Blues look to move on another of their central defenders, most likely George Edmundson, who was given a brief run-out as a sub against Manchester City, the club he supports, yesterday afternoon.

Town now have five senior players eligible or who have won caps for the Republic of Ireland. O'Shea, Sammie Szmodics, Marcus Harness, Jack Taylor and Liam Delap.

Photo: ITFC/Matchday Images

dangerous30 added 12:17 - Aug 25 Welcome to town
13

Andy32Cracknell added 12:18 - Aug 25 Nice, just a striker to go and that will be business done in regards to transfers coming in I’d say.
14

Stu_boy added 12:19 - Aug 25 Welcome to the club, quality signing
12

DJR added 12:25 - Aug 25 Where is that in the background? It doesn't look like Ipswich to me.
5

ArnieM added 12:32 - Aug 25 Excellent. This is the signing I've been waiting for.
2

RavidLowe added 12:33 - Aug 25 Great signing, welcome to the club. The building with the blue ends is Trinity High School in Hulme, Manchester.
1

Marcus added 12:36 - Aug 25 (Just) another £10m signing and very quiet - is it starting to feel routine? An extra striker would be a luxury we probably need to injuries. We'll probably also try for a young goalkeeper to cover injuries without being in the 25 so Slicker can go out on loan. Once all is done we can let Edmundson, Ladapo and Slicker go on loan or move on
3

90z added 12:42 - Aug 25 We've done some great business so far. I agree with the above. A striker to come in and that should be it. Unless there is any more outgoings. I'd rather have someone like Eddie Nketiah over Broja.
4

harmitfc added 12:46 - Aug 25 @DJR He is in the Hyatt Regency Manchester - the Trinity High School is in the bottom right of the picture.
3

WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:52 - Aug 25 That's the town planning department in Leighton Buzzard DJR
1

Gforce added 12:54 - Aug 25 Welcome aboard Dara,if you are of the same calibre as Greavesy,then we will have an excellent centre back pairing on our hands. As for the final piece of the jigsaw, I think we should look abroad and go for Gimenez (also linked with Wolves) from Feyenoord aged 23,scored around 25 goals last season in the Dutch top flight.
3

cmarkchips added 12:58 - Aug 25 Nketiah on loan it is then
-1

Linkboy13 added 13:12 - Aug 25 This is a very good signing maybe not as sexy to supporters as the Jack Clarke signing but far more important to the team. He's got Premier league experience and is also a very good leader a thing we haven't had in the centre of defence for a long time now.
7

Fat_Boy_Tim added 13:13 - Aug 25 Given the size of the bid for Broya we might look to go back in for the Greek lad. I haven’t heard that he’s gone anywhere although someone did bid for him after us.
3

Karlosfandangal added 13:18 - Aug 25 What happened to the Greek striker or was he too much money, think we need a proven striker to take the pressure off the midfield and defence
2

cmarkchips added 13:23 - Aug 25 Looking forward to seeing this lad in action. I just feel woolfendem got bullied a few times last year, Swansea versus Jamal Lowe springs to mind. The Broja situation is interesting but if he is a sick note we cannot take a long term risk.I agree maybe push the boat out and get the Greek lad. Might mean selling all the spare players and running with a few youngsters as back up but I could live with that . That is after all Mckenna’s big strength, developing players .

1

TimmyH added 14:02 - Aug 25 Burnley fans a bit gutted he's gone though he didn't want to be there...Celtic made an approach for him a few weeks back so yes he's got quality. Welcome Dara you'll love it here...
3

TimmyH added 14:03 - Aug 25 Wolves was interested as well...
0

Runner added 14:20 - Aug 25 DJR: sad that I am living in Ipswich, 2 out of 3 above are correct, he is in Hyatt Regency, Hulme, Manchester, M15 6HP. That would make more sense also than Leighton Buzzard.
0

Suffolkboy added 14:28 - Aug 25 MA & KM seem to have clearly set out their design for a new LEGO for ITFC ,and the pieces are gradually falling into place ! Each part of the unit epitomises more potential ,development and strength ;the finished article will take a few months to perfect — but WHAT a team we have in prospect!! COYB
1

MickMillsTash added 14:32 - Aug 25 If Town were staying there on Friday night did Muric sneak out to RITZy's ?- bouncy dance floor, 'bang a munter night' ? - tempting and would explain his performance. Craig Dawson not playing for Wolves today - an experienced defender who did not play in one of the 4 worst defences last year. I don't think we will go for him but he might be very useful
-1

brad548ye added 14:34 - Aug 25 I’m sure he’ll be a good signing and will be 100% committed to the cause now that he’s signed, but all this I wanted to come here nonsense when he clearly went for Brentford and Wolves before us.
1

Bergholtblue added 14:36 - Aug 25 That's our 11th signing. A whole new team! We need them to gel quickly, ideally before we play Fulham. Exciting times ahead.
1

Karlosfandangal added 14:47 - Aug 25 If Town can’t stay in the division with all these new player then the Prem league has to change,as no one will be able to compete
2

ronnyd added 15:47 - Aug 25 Runner.... i think the Leighton Buzzard mention was a joke. Well, i hope it was.
2

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