Cork City have brought in 19-year-old goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi on loan from Celtic ahead of their return to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Colin Healy's men won the First Division title last year and will hope to consolidate their place in the top flight in 2023.
Oluwayemi, who has been capped up to Under-19 level by England, will join Healy's side until the end of June.
"I’m really happy to be joining Cork City," he told the club website.
"I think this is a fantastic opportunity for me to do this. When I first heard that Cork City were interested, it was a move that I thought could be very good for me. I know Barry Coffey well from his time at Celtic, and he had a lot of good things to say about the club, about where the club want to go and the supporters.
"I'm looking forward to getting over to Cork and meeting everyone."
Healy welcomed the news, adding: "We've been working on this for a while and we are delighted to get Tobi in. We have a very good relationship with Celtic, and we appreciate their help in getting this deal done.
"Tobi is a very talented lad, and we are looking forward to working with him over the coming months. He will strengthen our squad and I am looking forward to seeing him in training next week."
Dundalk have completed the signings of ex-Middlesbrough midfielder Connor Malley and Millwall defender Hayden Muller on multi-year deals.
The pair become head coach Stephen O'Donnell's second and third signings ahead of the new SSE Airtricity League campaign. On Thursday they unveiled Gibraltar international defender Louie Annesley, who arrives from Blackburn Rovers.
Born in Hebburn, just outside Newcastle, Malley spent time at Sunderland and Newcastle's academy before moving to Middlesbrough to link up with their U-16 team. After impressing at underage level, he signed a three-year professional deal at the Riverside Stadium in the summer of 2019.
A loan spell at Ayr United followed before he returned to Boro and made four appearances for the club’s first team, including a man-of-the-match display against Rotherham United on his debut in May 2021.
Further loan spells at Carlisle United and Gateshead followed before he moved to Rochdale when his six-year stay at Middlesbrough came to an end in the summer. After signing a short-term deal with the League Two outfit, he made 14 appearances before leaving earlier this month.
"We had a look around [the club] for a couple of days and the facilities are fantastic," Malley told Dundalk's club website.
"He's a player who jumps out for his natural ability and I’m sure he’ll really get the fans excited."
"It seems to be a really welcoming place. The lads were really friendly and very good with me and my family so I'm really looking forward to getting started now.
"At my age, whatever move I made was going to be a big decision but after hearing what Stephen said and having a look around the club and the town, I feel like this could be a really good fit.
"I like to play in a team that keeps possession and gets the best aspects of my game out and if I’m wearing the Dundalk shirt, I’ll be giving 100% and doing my very best to keep the fans happy."
Muller progressed through the academy system at Millwall and made his first-team debut for the Lions against Huddersfield Town on the final day of the 2019-2020 Championship campaign.
He made another three appearances the following season before signing for St Johnstone on a season-long loan in the summer of 2021.
Muller [above] made eight appearances for the SPL side, seven of them starts, before he was recalled by his parent club in January 2022. His final appearance for Millwall came in a 2-0 loss against Sheffield United last August.
"I can't wait to get started," he said. "I had a look around and got a feel for the place and the lads have been very welcoming.
"I know Alfie Lewis, and Louie Annesley is also from London so it’s always good to have people like that around to help you settle in a lot quicker."
The Lilywhites have also signed 23-year-old Scottish striker Cameron Elliott.
The 23-year-old, who spent time at St Mirren as youngster, joins from Lowland League side East Kilbride where he scored 15 goals in just 21 appearances this season.
"It's a great opportunity for me," he said. "I’m very grateful for the chance to play for Dundalk and the success the club has had over the past 10 years was a massive factor in me signing.
"The aim for me now is to continue on where I left off at East Kilbride. Obviously, it’s a different level but it’s something I’m really looking forward to. I feel fit and strong and I can’t wait to get going."
Defender John Mahon has returned to hometown club Sligo Rovers ahead of the new season.
The 23-year-old left the Bit o' Red last January for Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone, signing a two-and-a-half year deal. But after making just three league appearances for the Saints, he rejoins Sligo until the end of the 2024 League of Ireland season.
Sligo manager John Russell welcomed the return of the club's 2021 player of the season to the Showgrounds.
"I’m excited with the signing of John Mahon. John has turned down much larger financial packages in order to return to Sligo Rovers but, this clearly demonstrates his loyalty, commitment and his love for the club," he said.
"John has come up through the academy here and he knows the league well having put in some outstanding performances before making his move to Scotland last year.
"Being a proper defender, John is aggressive in and out of possession. He has a warrior mentality - he leaves everything on the pitch which I know the fans appreciate.
"John hasn’t played a lot of football in the last 12 months so it’s important we are patient and help him regain his fitness, sharpness and confidence. There is no doubting his quality.
"I know from our conversations he is looking forward to joining the group, working hard and getting back enjoying his football. I’m sure the fans will be excited about John’s return."
