Defender Shane Griffin joins Cork City from Reading

Former Republic of Ireland under-21 defender Shane Griffin has joined Cork City from English Championship side Reading on a two-year deal.

 

His signing is a statement of intent from manager John Caulfield, who hopes to have City primed and ready for what he will hope is a successful title challenge.

 

22-year-old Griffin spent five years with the English Championship club, having joined as a schoolboy in 2011 from Carrigaline United, and only signed a new contract in the summer of 2016.

 

“I first heard of Cork City’s interest last week and, as soon as I heard it, I was buzzing to get going,” the Cork native told the club's website.

 

“I would have played with John Kavanagh and Garry Buckley at schoolboy level, and also with Kevin O’Connor and Seanie Maguire on international duty.

 



“Speaking to the lads before I signed, they all gave me good reviews and said it is a great set-up here; how well they are looked after, how good training is, so it was an easy choice.

 

“Now that I’m here, I’m delighted to have signed.”

 

Caulfield said he is looking forward to getting the best of out the talented former Carrigaline United man, whose progression had stalled at Reading following the appointment of Jaap Stam.

 



“Shane had done really well at Reading but a change of manager had set him back a bit, so he is coming again now and he is here for two years at a great age.

 

“He has been capped all the way through underage level; he has tremendous potential and it is up to us to get the best out of him. It is up to him to establish himself in the first team.

 

“He has a great attitude and we are looking forward to working with him. We have a strong core of Cork lads here and it is great to bring another local lad in.”