Championship leaders Bournemouth are looking to strengthen their chances of reaching the Premier League next season with their new signing. Robbie Brady has been without a club since the summer transfer window after he was released by former club Burnley.

Four months on and the Irish winger has now found a new home in the Championship. Since he was a free agent, he signed for nothing in a deal that will last until the end of the season.

Next summer, they will discuss a new contract and if the club is happy to keep the player on long-term.

Brady has said that he turned down the opportunity to play for other clubs because he was so impressed with Scott Parker’s team.

Speaking to Bournemouth’s website, Brady said:

“For where I’m at now and my idea of wanting to get back playing football, this is a better opportunity that most to come and play.

“From watching the manager and seeing the style of football he plays, I think it will suit me.

“Hopefully I can help the club going forward. It is a good opportunity and I think it’s going to be a good fit.”

Welcome to #afcb, Robbie Brady pic.twitter.com/IXkpg1iuHs

— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) October 18, 2021

How will Brady fit in at Bournemouth?

It is obvious that the Irishman would bring a very different style of play to the club than their current wingers. Brady is not a fast player but has a very keen eye for long passes and short dribbles.

The 29-year-old still made 12 league starts for Burnley last season, scoring once and assisting once. He was never known for being a great goal threat in his career. His best season consisted of four goals and four assists while in the Championship in 2017.

The Dublin man will hope that he can find new life while in the Championship and push himself back into Stephen Kenny’s setup for the remaining World Cup qualifiers.

ON THIS DAY…

4⃣ years ago, Robbie Brady did this and we still get shivers up our spine!

v #COYBIG #OTD#OnThisDay pic.twitter.com/aK9VlQQTVl

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) June 22, 2020

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Shane Long made his Bournemouth debut today after arriving on loan at the club on deadline day.

Birmingham were the opposition and his first start, while not a scoring one, coincided with Bournemouth’s first league win since the beginning of January.

Fellow Irish international Scott Hogan managed a brace for Birmingham but his contribution wasn’t enough to collect what would have been a valuable 3 points.

Instead, Arnaut Danjuma, Jack Wilshere and Philip Billing scored for Bournemouth in a 3-2 win.

Long’s playtime had steadily decreased for Southampton over the past couple of seasons so his move to Bournemouth couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Irish international only started once in the Premier League this season, having been forced to sit on the bench for much of the campaign due to the offensive partnership of Che Adams and Danny Ings.

Long wasn’t the only Irishman to make a move to the Championship during the January transfer window.

Conor Hourihane and Jayson Molumby also completed loan moves to Swansea City and Preston North End respectively.

Both are thriving in their new environments, with Hourihane impressing in particular.

The Cork native has scored 3 goals in 3 games for Swansea since moving, including a brilliant effort from outside the box in a man of the match performance last night.

With World Cup qualification games quickly approaching in March, Ireland badly need an in-form striker to lead the line.

James Collins or Scott Hogan look the most likely candidates as it stands, both have been starting regularly at Championship level and managed to find the net for their respective clubs today.

Given a good run of games, though, Shane Long could find himself as Ireland’s undisputed number nine again.

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