Coventry City striker Tom Costello has moved abroad to join Irish First Division champions Galway United ahead of their 2024 season.
The 20-year-old returned to The Sky Blues earlier this campaign after making five league appearances for National League North side Southport in a three-month spell at the club and has since mutually agreed to terminate his contract to sanction the move to Galway.
Costello becomes the second player from a Championship club to make the switch to The Tribesmen, after Millwall goalie Joe Wright‘s signing last week. Galway were promoted to the League of Ireland Premier Division after being crowned champions in the 2023 season.
Costello did not play a game at senior level for the Warwickshire club, joining from Wigan Athletic in July 2022. The striker came through the ranks at The Latics as well as the Tranmere Rovers academy.
Born in Liverpool, the 20-year-old was excited to come to the West of Ireland, stating: “As soon as my agent mentioned the opportunity at Galway United, for me, especially with family ties in this part of the world, it was a no-brainer. I instantly fell in love with the place.
“The Premier Division promises to be a thrilling challenge, with the standards set to rise yet again from last season. To the fans, come out in your numbers and support the team. We need you behind us. With St. Patrick’s Athletic as our first opponents, it’s sure to be a tough game, but I hope to see the stadium rocking.”
Writer’s View
Tom Costello did not get a chance to break into the Coventry first team during his time in the Midlands, so a move to play regular first-team football seems like the right decision for him. Billed by The Tribesmen as a player with a “tireless work ethic and physical presence”, Galway look to be very pleased with their latest acquisition.
The signing of Ellis Simms from Everton and American Haji Wright last summer demonstrated that Mark Robins’ side would use the market rather than promote youth players to fill the void left by the departure of Viktor Gyokeres. It was a mutually beneficial decision between the club and Costello to allow him to get his career kickstarted elsewhere, and the 20-year-old will look to prove himself in a new league system.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
