Barnet have today announced the signing of goalkeeper Josh Keeley, who has made one appearance for the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
The 20-year-old joins the Bees on loan until the end of the season.
Keeley started his career in Ireland with St Patrick’s Athletic where he won league titles at a number of junior levels and played in two UEFA Youth League games. Keeley also made two first-team appearances for St Pat’s, one in the league and one in the FAI cup, before moving to Spurs in the summer of 2022.
The Irishman went with the first team on Spurs’ pre-season tour of South Korea, but he played all of his football with the under-21 side; making 19 appearances in the Premier League 2.
It was at the end of this season when Keeley made his debut for the Republic of Ireland under-21s as he came on in the second half in a friendly against Kuwait and played alongside the likes of Sinclair Armstrong.
He started this season strongly, keeping four clean sheets in six league games and this may have been what prompted Dean Brennan to make a move for the youngster.
Barnet are chasing a return to League Two this season after a six year absence and currently sit in third in the National League. They are on a run of three successive wins and travel to fellow promotion-contenders Altrincham on Saturday.
Writer’s View
The move is an interesting one from a Barnet point of view. Brennan has clearly heard about Keeley through his connections in Ireland and thus appreciates his talent, but the Bees’ defence looks to have sorted itself out in recent weeks as Laurie Walker has not conceded a goal since the December 16th.
Keeley will likely be better with his feet and at coming off his line than Walker, as it is something which is seen as a prerequisite for goalkeepers at elite academies, and this could be how the youngster forces the current number one out of the side. Spurs will not want to have sent the 20-year-old out on loan only for him to not play (as they did with Dane Scarlett in the summer), but the youngster will likely have to be patient and wait for his chance, which he will need to grasp with both hands.
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