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Ellen Molloy signs for Shamrock Rovers, Kyra Carusa returns to Danish side HB Koge

Shamrock Rovers new signing Ellen Molloy poses for a portrait during her unveiling at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin
Ellen Molloy poses in her new kit at Tallaght Stadium

Republic of Ireland striker Kyra Carusa is back at Danish club HB Koge, while her fellow international Ellen Molloy has made an eye-catching move to Shamrock Rovers.

Carusa moves back to Denmark on a free transfer, having seen out her contract with NWSL outfit San Diego Wave after helping them to the NWSL Shield.

The 30-year-old returns to the club where she scored 37 goals in 79 matches and played a central part of the team that won two Danish championships in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons.

The return to Koge is one that Carusa always intended to make and she's happy to be back at her "second home".

"When I left the club back in 2023, I always knew I would come back," she said. "HB Koge Women became my second home, and it is a place that played a big role in my development as both a person and a player.

"The timing feels right now because both the club and I have grown. I return with more experience and perspective and am excited to once again be a part of a program that has always believed in me.

"I am incredibly excited to once again work with a club that is not afraid to challenge the world around them and do what others say is impossible. As in the club's previous chapters, I will be the one pushing, fighting and believing that this club can surprise the world. We have done it before and we will do it again."

Kyra Carusa of HB Koge challenged by Lisa Boattin of Juventus during the UEFA Womens Champions League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match between Juventus and HB Koge at Stadio Giuseppe Moccagatta on September 28, 2022 in Alessandria, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)
Kyra Carusa (left) is back playing in HB Koge colours

Molloy's switch to the Hoops is a real coup for new boss James O'Callaghan ahead of the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division campaign.

Last week Molloy left Wexford FC with immediate effect, just five days after the club had announced the 21-year-old would be remaining in the south-east for 2026.

She has now become ex-Peamount United manager O'Callaghan’s sixth new signing.

"I’m really pleased to welcome Ellen Molloy to Shamrock Rovers," said O'Callaghan. "She brings an impressive level of experience for such a young player and is an energetic, hard-working, exciting presence on the pitch.

"Ellen was keen for a fresh start and felt a genuine connection with the environment and people here, and our focus now is on supporting her, helping her settle, and allowing her to enjoy her football as she takes this next step."

She'll hope to catch the eye of Ireland boss Carla Ward before the World Cup qualifiers begin on Tuesday 3 March with a clash against France at Tallaght Stadium

Carusa, of course, remains a key player for Ward's Girls in Green, playing in both legs of November's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off win against Belgium.

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