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

bkb added 16:11 - Aug 25 As Bergholtblue said “a whole new team” Looks like the vast major the players that gave us so much entertainment during the last two seasons will become “bit parts” at best. But, hey that’s progress I expect. But still a bit sad.
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Westy added 16:18 - Aug 25 Welcome. All good - there maybe more - still 5 days to go! Just noticed that we have gone up a place in the league by virtue of Wolves losing by four goals to Chelsea and consequently have a worse goal difference than us.
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:21 - Aug 25 Welcome, on a day when we are moving up the table and we havnt got stated yet COYB r
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 16:21 - Aug 25 Yes it was. Had hoped that was obvious but there you go.
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rkl added 16:47 - Aug 25 So what is our best starting 11 now?
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brian_a_mul added 17:34 - Aug 25 Looks like we may see 3 Centerbacks playing together often this season. Wolfy, O Shea & Greaves have a bit of everything. Quick, mobile, receive ball & pass out. Create havoc at set piece time. Might also give Wolfy a bit of licence to support midfield when needed.
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Magic8 added 17:44 - Aug 25 We have 2 good players for every position now...that's the aim .that's the necessity ..that's PL...no room for sentiment..it's professional sport...
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Marshalls_Mullet added 18:18 - Aug 25 Photo location. Hyatt Regency Hotel, Manchester.
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ArnieM added 18:31 - Aug 25 If it’s three at the back it’ll be Axel, O’Shea, Greaves
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fifeblue added 20:53 - Aug 25 Ipswich O'Town
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planetblue_2011 added 21:48 - Aug 25 Good signing! Welcome to the towen Dara
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PhilR added 22:25 - Aug 25 So good to see us sticking to bringing in good quality young players, many the pick of last year's Championship. KMcK will improve them. If we don't stay up this year, we will have some fantastic assets, and what a team we could have next season in the Championship. I am really hopeful now that KMcK can craft a side from our now excellent young squad to stay up
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eddiespearitt03 added 23:29 - Aug 25 A perfect signing for a regular place in the back 4 or 5. We need alot more spark and pace from the midfield to create goal scoring opportunities. The sooner we bed the new players in the better.
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oldtimer3 added 06:35 - Aug 26 Hope this player faces the ball when a forward strikes it. Turning your back because a football may hurt a little if it hits you. Very disappointing 4th goal at Manchester City.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:39 - Aug 26 PhilP we dont know what clauses there are in players contracts in the event of relegation, one such clause could be massive pay cuts, players may want to move on in that situation also players like greaves who could be knocking on an international call up may not want to drop back into championship. Too many moving parts to assume anything about next season, lets enjoy this season for now!

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Linkboy13 added 09:06 - Aug 26 McKenna has a massive job on getting all these new players to gel into a team unit. Contrary to opinions on here there are no easy games in the Premier league where we are going to pick up points. It might be a case of grinding out results with hard work and passionate support from the fans but we have to be patient. What will McKenna do about Muric can he afford to risk him again after Walton did nothing wrong against Liverpool and saved us from a heavier defeat. I think he will have to back his own judgement and give him another chance.

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Dissboyitfc added 10:30 - Aug 26 Linkboy Agree people are (some ) expecting 3 points against Fulham, not me I tend to think that we may have to wait a bit longer for our first victory. Just hope people don’t get restless, patience will be required!
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FreddySteady added 10:46 - Aug 26 Yep, the Fulham game will be tough, certainly not a gimme. Will take a while for the new signings to bed in but I think they are all pretty decent and the right sort of player and personality. Also not too disappointed we appear to have missed out on Broja
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hyperbrit added 13:18 - Aug 26 is the Premiership the promised land or a poison chalice? If we are relegated with this team we can use the parachute payments to good advantage unlike Norwich who wasted them. Also is Muric a mistake or a glitch? We could find out against AFC Wimbledon.
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