Former Stockport County defender Jordan Keane has been unveiled as Southport’s latest signing, joining the club for the 2024/25 season, according to the club’s official website.
Keane joins the National League North side after spending the last two seasons with FC Halifax Town. During that time he’d once again demonstrate his capabilities in the National League and his experience would be heavily utilised by the Shaymen.
The 30-year-old would end up making 25 starts as well as one substitute appearance in the National League last term as Halifax sneaked into the play-offs. They would however be dispatched in the eliminator by eventual finalists Solihull Moors, who proved their class with a 4-2 win. Despite the season not exactly ending how the club would’ve wanted, it was still a mightily impressive showing to even make the post-season in the first place.
However, the centre-back wasn’t present in that play-off fixture, nor much of the second half of the season due to an injury suffered in February. Having become a mainstay in the Shaymen’s defence, starting 21 consecutive games prior to his injury, the loss of Keane was a significant one.
As a result, it does come as somewhat of a surprise to see him drop down to the National League North. Southport are however getting a great deal here, bringing in a vastly experienced player into the heart of the defence. With 185 appearances in the National League as well as a further 148 in the sixth tier, Keane is far more than just capable at the level and he should be a great addition.
He also knows what it is like to be in a promotion-winning side, having twice gained promotion during his time with Stockport County. During a four-season stay with the Hatters, Keane would play a significant part in the club’s rise from the National League North up to League Two.
In his first year with the club, the 2018/19 season, the centre-half would be at the heart of the Stockport side who won the National League North. Three seasons later, although playing a slightly less important role, he’d be a part of another Hatters side who gained promotion, this time to the EFL after winning the National League title in 2021.
Although he’d leave that summer for Halifax, and therefore missing out on League Two football, Keane has had an incredibly successful career, and still has plenty to offer.
Writer’s View
Not much can be said bar the fact that this is an excellent signing for Southport. They’re getting a player who, before injury, was starting week-in-week-out for a play-off chasing side in the National League. Albeit there is a slight risk from a recent injury, if able to find his best, Keane should still have too much quality for the sixth tier.
He knows what it takes to win the title, let alone gain promotion and his signing could see Southport make a significant step forward after a slightly disappointing season. Now-30 the defender is reaching the latter stages of his career, but isn’t slowing down just yet.
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