Predicting The Five Most Successful Summer Moves For Irish Players | Balls.ie

As we draw towards the end of the transfer window, it is likely that most of the deals involving the more high profile Irish players have already been completed.

We would see a couple more get over the line over the next week or so, but we already know where the vast majority of our internationals will be playing their football this season.

With that in mind, we have attempted to identify which transfer moves involving Irish footballers are most likely to turn out to be a success.

Here’s what we came up with.

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Predicting The Most Successful Summer Moves For Irish Players

Troy Parrott – Spurs to AZ Alkmaar (£6.7million)

Troy Parrott showed on loan at Excelsior Rotterdam that he is capable of thriving in the Eredivisie, scoring 17 goals in the league despite some early injury issues and being part of a side that were ultimately relegated.

You would fancy him to do even better after moving to one of the top sides in the division, with AZ Alkmaar having finished fourth last season. The club have taken six points from their opening two games of the campaign, and while Parrott has yet to find the back of the net, he is already becoming a fan favourite after arriving as the club’s record signing.

With the Irishman also having the opportunity to play in European competition in the Conference League, you would fancy him to have a strong season at his new club.

Now 22-years old, he finally looks to be in the right circumstances to fulfil his obvious potential.

Sammie Szmodics – Blackburn Rovers to Ipswich Town (£9million)

Sammie Szmodics has experienced a steady rise in his career up to this point, with his progress last season now being rewarded with a shot in the Premier League.

The 28-year old was long a decent operator at Colchester United and Peterborough United, bouncing between League One and the Championship. However, he took his game to the next level after joining Blackburn Rovers, culminating with a 33-goal return in all competitions last season.

The Premier League will represent a major step up for Szmodics, with his success in the division also dependent on how well his new club fares in the top flight after their promotion.

Still, considering his all around skillset, you can see him being a success at Ipswich.

Alan Browne – Preston North End to Sunderland (Free)

Alan Browne has been one of the most consistent players in the Championship for the best part of a decade, although he could never quite push on and achieve promotion during his time at Preston North End.

The midfielder had quite a few options when it came to moving on a free transfer this past summer, although he would eventually opt to sign for Sunderland. That already looks like a good choice.

Sunderland have arguably been the most impressive team in the Championship over the first two games of the campaign and look primed to push for promotion over the coming months. Browne is likely to be a mainstay in the side, although he did miss last weekend’s game against Sheffield Wednesday due to a slight muscle injury (he should be available for the meeting with Burnley tomorrow).

The Cork man is an excellent Championship player and you would fully expect him to thrive at the Stadium of Light.

Adam Idah – Norwich City to Celtic (£8.5million)

Adam Idah already showed that he is capable of being a success at Celtic, scoring some crucial goals for the club during his loan spell in Glasgow last season.

He is likely to play an even bigger role this season, having signed on a permanent basis for one of the largest fees in club history. The Cork man is already a fan favourite at Parkhead.

Idah seems perfectly set up for success at Celtic and it was no surprise to see him so keen to return there this summer.

Sinclair Armstrong – QPR to Bristol City (£2million)

A player with massive potential, Sinclair Armstrong has never quite managed to put together a sustained run of strong form at first team level. That probably was not helped by his surroundings, with QPR having struggled for long periods over the last couple of seasons.

Armstrong will hope that a fresh start at a new club can really see him kick on over the coming months, something the 21-year old is more than capable of achieving.

He has already gotten off the mark as Ashton Gate, scoring in their 4-3 victory over Millwall last weekend. Bristol City has proven to be a good breeding ground for Irish players in recent seasons, with both Jason Knight and Mark Sykes having kicked on since joining the club.

Sinclair Armstrong has every chance of going down the same route.

What about the rest?

Jake O’Brien is a hugely talented player, although it remains to be seen if his move to Everton will be the right one. Quite a few players have passed through Goodison Park in recent seasons without fulfilling their potential, while Sean Dyche can also be slow to bring inexperienced players in the starting XI.

You would back O’Brien to buck that trend, although he is not necessarily coming into his new team in ideal circumstances.

Mark McGuinness should do well after his £10million move to Luton Town, but they have experienced a difficult start after their return to the Championship. Hopefully that will not hinder his chances of success.

It is also likely we will see further deals involving Irish players before the end of the window, with both Dara O’Shea and John Egan looking to be on the verge of moves.

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