According to journalist Jon Palmer, Cheltenham Town striker Aidan Keena has rejoined League of Ireland side St Patrick’s Athletic.
After joining Cheltenham from Sligo Rovers in the January transfer window in 2023 for a club-record fee, Keena became an instant hit at Whaddon Road, scoring six goals in just 19 appearances as Cheltenham achieved their second-highest finish in club history. It was a different story last season, however, with the Irishman only scoring once from 41 League One appearances, as the Robins suffered relegation back to the fourth tier.
The 25-year-old is now set for a permanent switch back to the League of Ireland, with St Pats launching a last-minute approach, with their transfer window closing at 11 PM last night. The Irish side side were desperately in need of a striker following the departure of former Torquay United striker Ruari Keating, who decided to terminate his contract to rejoin Cork City.
The Robins’ squad has since been torn apart since relegation. Manager Darrell Clarke opted to join League One Barnsley, top-scorer Liam Sercombe and captain Sean Long departed to join rivals Forest Green Rovers. Luke Southwood joined promotion hopefuls Bolton Wanderers, Jamie Pardington and Rob Street joined Lincoln City whilst Lewis Freestone departed for Stevenage. Home-grown talent George Lloyd opted to turn down a new contract to Shrewsbury Town, Will Ferry also decided against staying with the club to move north of the border to Dundee United and on top of that midfielder Elliot Bonds being sold to League Two rivals Fleetwood Town.
It is fair to say it has been a busy summer, with Michael Flynn being appointed manager, as well as former boss Gary Johnson taking up the director of football role. The recent signings of both Ryan Bowman and Levi Laing took Cheltenham’s transfer total up to 13 players through the door, with a whopping 17 players (including Keena) leaving Whaddon Road in this transfer window alone.
Writer’s View
It is no surprise Cheltenham have been this active in the window, with both arrivals and departures now in double digits. Both Flynn and Johnson have used their contacts well, the former bringing Ex-Newport County players Scot Bennett, Joe Day, Ryan Haynes and Lewis Payne through the door, whilst also bringing in former goalkeeper Owen Evans back to the club, who played under Flynn at Walsall. Johnson has used his Torquay contacts, bringing in young prospects Arkell Jude-Boyd and Ethon Archer.
The sale of Keena just one and a half years later after they splashed what is a considerable amount of money on one player almost does not make sense. He showed League One what he could do in the latter stages of the 2022/23 season, scoring against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic. Although last season did not go to plan for the 25-year-old, what did go right for Cheltenham last season?
The turnover at Cheltenham is worrying, but if Flynn can get the squad to gel early, he may steady the sinking ship. It is common knowledge that Flynn does want more personnel through the door, and if they can get the remaining recruitment right, the season could look more promising than what it does now for the Robins.
