Cork City have confirmed that 18-year-old midfielder Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh has signed for Championship side Southampton.
After penning a pro contract with City in 2019, O'Brien-Whitmarsh, who has been capped for Ireland at U-19 level, broke into first team at Turner's Cross last season. He netted four goals across 22 league games in a campaign where Cork were relegated from the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division.
Gavin Bazunu, Will Smallbone and Ryan Manning are current Irish internationals plying their trade at St Mary's and Cork have also confirmed that they have agreed terms on an undisclosed initial compensation package, from which the the club will also stand to benefit further in the future.
It is expected that O’Brien-Whitmarsh will spend the rest of the season with the Saints' U-21 squad.
Cork City's head of academy Liam Kearney said: "Joe is a very talented young player, who has progressed through our Academy, into the first team environment and has also battled back from a serious injury. He has been with the club for five years and it has been a pleasure to watch his development over that time."
"Everyone around the club thinks very highly of Joe, both in terms of his ability, as well as his character. This is a good opportunity for him, so we thank him for his time with the club and wish him every success in the future."
Former Republic of Ireland Under-21 captain Conor Coventry [above] has completed a move to Charlton Athletic, bringing to an end his 13-year association with West Ham.
The 23-year-old midfielder has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Addicks, who are currently 13th in League One.
Coventry penned a 12-month extension to his Hammers contract in January 2023 before heading to Rotherham United on loan.
He is now looking to take his career to the next level after spending years trying to break into West Ham's first team. Coventry had been at the club since he was 10 years old.
"I'm from London so I know what this club means to people and the size of it," he said of his switch to Charlton.
"I'm really looking forward to buying into what is going on here and being a part of it."
Boss Michael Appleton previously worked with Coventry when he had a loan stint at Lincoln City in 2020.
"I'm delighted we've been able to sign Conor," he said. "He's someone that quite a few years ago I took on his very first loan at Lincoln. To be able to be reunited with him on a permanent deal I'm delighted with.
"He's very, very comfortable on the ball and knows his position really well. He's a good passer of the ball, with good technique, and he's got a steeliness to him as well which I like - a bit of nastiness to him. He's one who lives his life right and is a proper professional."
Borussia Dortmund have agreed a deal to sign defender Ian Maatsen [pictured above] on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old Dutch youth international made his Premier League debut last August and has made 12 appearances in the league this season.
"Because of our current squad situation we decided to act on the left back-position this winter," Dortmund sports director Sebastian Kehl said. "Ian fits our profile with his strengths."
"He has a lot of pace, a strong left foot and can play various positions."
Last season's Bundesliga runners-up Dortmund have struggled in the league and are currently in fifth place, 15 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen and six behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who occupy the last Champions League spot.
They have, however, advanced to the Champions League knockout stage where they face PSV Eindhoven - one of Maatsen's youth clubs - in the round of 16 next month.
