Caoimhín Kelleher

Name in home country: Caoimhín Odhrán Kelleher

Date of birth/Age: Nov 23, 1998 (26)

Place of birth: Cork, Ireland

Height: 1,88m

Citizenship: Ireland

Position: Goalkeeper

Foot: Right

Current club: Liverpool FC

Joined: Jul 1, 2019

Contract expires: Jun 30, 2026

Last contract extension: Jun 24, 2021

Caoimhín Odhrán Kelleher is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liverpool in the Premier League and for the Republic of Ireland national team.

Early Life and Career Beginnings:

Birth: Born on November 23, 1998, in Cork, County Cork, Ireland.

Education: Attended Presentation Brothers College in Cork.

Youth Career: Kelleher joined Liverpool's academy from Ringmahon Rangers in the summer of 2015. He was part of the youth teams that played in various tournaments, including featuring for the Republic of Ireland U17s in the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship

Professional Career with Liverpool:

First Contract: Signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in August 2018.

Champions League: He was an unused substitute in the 2019 UEFA Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the 12th Irish footballer to win the Champions League and the first in over a decade.

First Team Action: Kelleher made his first senior appearance in the Champions League against Ajax in December 2020, securing a clean sheet in a 1-0 win. He made his Premier League debut later that month against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he also kept a clean sheet in a 4-0 victory.

Promotion to Second Choice: After several impressive performances, Jürgen Klopp confirmed Kelleher as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Alisson Becker, ahead of Adrián. This was followed by a long-term contract extension in June 2021, lasting until 2026.

Cup Competitions: Kelleher has been particularly notable in the EFL Cup. He started and won the 2022 EFL Cup final against Chelsea, notably scoring the decisive penalty in the 11-10 shoot-out. He has saved a record number of penalties for Liverpool in shoot-outs, surpassing Pepe Reina's record with 6 saves in four shootouts.

Recent Performances: In the 2024 EFL Cup final, he kept another clean sheet, with Virgil van Dijk's header securing the win. His performances have included saving penalties against high-profile players like Kylian Mbappé in matches against Real Madrid.

International Career:

Youth Levels: Capped at under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels for Ireland.

Senior Team: Made his senior debut for Ireland in June 2021 against Hungary. He has continued to be part of the national squad, with notable performances including saving a crucial penalty in a Nations League qualifier against Finland in November 2024.

Personal Attributes and Recognition:

Physical Profile: Stands at 188 cm tall, with a right-footed preference.

Family: His older brother, Fiacre Kelleher, is also a footballer playing for Colchester United.

Recognition: Kelleher has been recognized for his penalty-saving abilities and his composure in high-pressure situations, earning him praise from fans and analysts alike. His performances in cup competitions have solidified his reputation as one of the best backup goalkeepers in the league.

Current Status:

Market Value: As of the latest data, his market value stands at €22 million.

Contract: His contract with Liverpool is set to expire in June 2030, indicating Liverpool's long-term commitment to him as part of their squad.