Plymouth Argyle have suffered disappointment this morning as one of their key transfer targets has opted to join Robbie Fowler’s Brisbane Roar, as reported by the BBC.
Jay O’Shea had been linked with a move to home Park, linking up once again with Ryan Lowe whom he helped achieve promotion last season. Alan Nixon of the Sun predicted that a move to the Pilgrims might happen this week, but O’Shea has gone a little further afield.
He’s followed former Bury teammate Down Under to join up with Robbie Fowler’s side, an honour he claims he couldn’t turn down.
“It was exciting when I got the call from Robbie Fowler, being a Premier League legend,” he told the club website. “It’s a great competition and fantastic opportunity for myself.”
O’Shea made his name playing in his native Ireland, representing Bray Wanderers, Galway and Home Farm before a move to Birmingham City. His best spell in England, prior to moving to Gigg Lane, came during a four-and-a-half-year stint with Chesterfield, during which time he racked up 214 outings.
Last season he bagged 16 goals in 50 outings as Bury finished second in League Two.
Our View
O’Shea is a class act and at 30-years-old it seems a huge shame he’s departing these shores. A League One club could have offered him a home.
The lure of warm weather and a Premier League legend is all well and good, but will the A-League satisfy his thirst for football success?
That remains to be seen, but now Plymouth have to turn their attention to Danny Mayor and Nicky Maynard. It might not be as easy for Ryan Lowe to convince players to drop out of League One as it was for the Pilgrims board to convince him.
