MK Dons have completed the signing of goalkeeper Michael Kelly on a free transfer.
Kelly, 27, moves to the Football Club on a short-term deal after leaving Carlisle United in June and is eligible to feature in this afternoon’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Notts County at Stadium MK.
The goalkeeper has spent the majority of his career in his native Republic of Ireland, totalling close to 120 senior appearances across spells with Shamrock Rovers, Cabinteely, Longford Town, Bohemian and Bray Wanderers.
Kelly made the move across the Irish Sea to join Carlisle United in July 2022 and was a part of the Cumbrians squad which won promotion from Sky Bet League Two last season.
“It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours but I’m delighted to be here,” Kelly told mkdons.com.
“As soon as I heard MK Dons were interested, I was keen to get on board. The lads are flying so far this season and hopefully I can add to the group and help us kick on.
“I like to think I am an imposing goalkeeper - I like to use my size and frame to my advantage. I’m also quite a technical goalkeeper with the ball at my feet, but I’ll be looking to do anything I can to help the team push on.”
Kelly began his senior football career with Shamrock Rovers, making his debut in a League of Ireland First Division fixture against Finn Harps in March 2014. He spent two years with Shamrock, before joining Cabinteely, with whom he totalled 12 clean sheets in 55 appearances over two seasons.
Leaving to join Longford Town in 2018, Kelly featured 39 times in a Town shirt before making a switch to Premier Division side Bohemian the following season. After one season with Bohs, the goalkeeper returned to Cabinteely and took his appearance total for the Cabo to 61 games.
Kelly signed for another one of his former sides in 2021, completing a return to Longford Town. After playing 10 more times for the County Longford club, he made a move to First Division outfit Bray Wanderers, with whom he played eight games.
In July 2022, Kelly moved away from Ireland for the first time to join Carlisle United. He was a member of a Cumbrians squad which won promotion to Sky Bet League Two via the play-offs last term.
