By Adam Buggy
This summer saw £1.3 billion splurged on footballers in the Premier League and Championship.
20 Irish players arrived into the senior squads 15 clubs across the two divisions with Jeff Hendrick’s £10.5m [€12.4m] move from Derby County to Burnley the most expensive of all.
With many of the players’ preferred numbers were already occupied at their new digs so, with no Zlatanesque demands made, here is how each player will line out this season.
Championship
Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United): No.2
Eunan O’Kane (Leeds United): TBC
O’Kane’s number should be confirmed ahead of Saturday’s game with Huddersfield but he was spotted in training on Thursday sporting No.14.
New Leeds signing Eunan O'Kane in training with Leeds after his return from international duty #lufc #mot pic.twitter.com/YMJzfOAYX0
— Ryan (@LeedsUtdRyan) September 8, 2016
Shane Duffy (Brighton): No. 22
It’s the same number he has worn for Ireland and previous club Blackburn.
Hughton: "I'm delighted that our perseverance has finally paid off." #BHAFC https://t.co/0unaNhHwLs pic.twitter.com/0x8Q780y3h
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 26, 2016
Brian Murphy (Cardiff City): No.28
Eoin Doyle (Preston North End): No.13
John Egan (Brentford): No.14
Aiden McGeady (Preston North End): No.14
Anthony Stokes (Blackburn Rovers): No.9
Daryl Murphy (Newcastle United): TBC
This should be confirmed before Newcastle take on Derby County on Saturday.
Tommie Hoban (Blackburn Rovers): No.4
Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers): No.5
Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City): No.11
Signed from Oxford United for £1.5m over the summer.
Anthony Forde (Rotherham United): No.7
Leon Best (Ipswich Town): No.9
Ryan Delaney (Burton Albion): No.23
Josh Cullen (Bradford City): No.14
Loaned from West Ham for the season. Was at the club last season too so retains the 14 jersey.
Premier League
Jeff Hendrick (Burnley): No.13
Ryan Sweeney (Stoke City): No.56
Signed from AFC Wimbledon and now with The Potters’ development squad. Has been given a squad number, though, and registered for Premier League action if called up by Mark Hughes.
Marc Wilson (Bournemouth): No.20.
The GAA Hour Hurling Show relives Tipperary’s sensational All-Ireland victory with Paidí Maher. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
