Oxford United have signed Irish defender Fiacre Kelleher on a two-year deal, with the option of a further year.

The centre-back from Cork spent last season out on-loan at Peterhead, where he made 25 appearances for the League Two side.

Now the Celtic Academy graduate has opted for a move down south after his contract expired and will be playing in the third-tier of English football for the U’s.

Quoted by Oxford United‘s official site, Kelleher said:

I’m really pleased to be joining. It’s a fantastic club and they have done really well over the last few years.

At this stage in my career I want to test myself, be part of the first team and play regularly. Now I’m looking forward to joining up with the lads in pre-season.

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Chairman Darryl Eales added:

Fiacre is one of the players we had talked about at length and one that Michael and the recruitment team had identified as an excellent defender with bags of potential. With Curtis Nelson, Charlie Raglan and Aaron Martin already here we are going to have plenty of competition for the defensive positions.

It is a deal that had been in the pipeline for a few weeks and we are delighted to welcome Fiacre to the club.

The defender came through the ranks at Celtic, representing the club at U17 level, as well as frequently featuring for the U20 Colts side.

He isn’t the first former Celtic youth academy prospect to make the move down south this summer, as defender Josh Kerr signed for Premier League newbies Brighton & Hove Albion last month.

Fellow academy prospect Theo Archibald also made his move south, linking up with Championship side Brentford.