Bohemian Football Club is delighted to announce that goalkeeper James Talbot has penned a new multi-year contract.
Talbot, 25, came to Dalymount Park ahead of the 2019 season. His form during his time at the club has cemented him as a firm fans’ favourite, seen him the club’s Player of the Year Award, and earned him call-ups to the Ireland squad under both Mick McCarthy and Stephen Kenny.
Manager Declan Devine said: “James is the best goalkeeper in Ireland and he has been a huge loss to the team this year through injury.
“When you’re a manager coming to a new club, you want to keep your best players, so to have James committing his future to the club is something that I am really looking forward to.
“My first two signings for next season – Keith Buckley and James – are two Bohs stalwarts; people who I believe can drive us on to success.
“I look at James and what I see is everything I want as a person and as a player. His affiliation to the club and how much the fans hold him in high esteem means everything.
“In terms of building for the future, and bringing in other players of James’ calibre, keeping him and bringing Bucko back, is a sign of intent in terms of what I want to build here.
“I want good, quality players who care, so it is a genuine pleasure for me to come to a club that has a person of James’ magnitude here already.”
After signing his new contract, Talbot reflected on a disappointing year but looked forward to next season with enthusiasm.
He said: “I am over the moon to re-sign. I am humbled to be offered another great opportunity to stay at such a club that I hold dearly to me.
“This club has provided me with countless opportunities which I am thankful for. I had considered travelling assisted by football and that is something I might do in the future, but the club going properly full-time next season is an exciting time to be involved and made me want to be a part of it.”
Talbot’s season was cut short in the cruellest of fashions when the pride of being called up to the Ireland squad in June was short-lived when a shoulder injury sustained while training with the national team ruled him out for the rest of the season.
He said: “I don’t think I’ve had a year as tough as this, so my focus is getting the best out of myself when I come back next season in terms of my own performances and helping the team.
“I want to get that consistency that I had previously. I am near-enough back fit so it is unfortunate that’s coinciding with the season ending.
“I’ve never had a significant injury and at first I didn’t know how bad it was and didn’t know how long I would be sidelined, so that was tough to take.
“Certain individuals reached out on a personal level from the club, which I am very grateful for and, for me, that showed what Bohs is all about.
“The club has looked after me ever since I came here and I have a passion to play for this club.
“It’s my first year at the club where we haven’t had something to play for at the end of the season, whether that be trying to qualify for Europe through the league or getting to a cup final, so I want us to get back to that next year.
“It has been a struggle for the club this season. Performances haven’t been good enough but off the pitch, we have lost people who mean a lot to me, and meant a lot to the club. I am at this club for people like Mono.
“And I wouldn’t be at this club in the first place was Keith Long, who gave me the opportunity to come here, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
“Declan has come in full of enthusiasm and positivity, and as an ex-goalkeeper himself, I feel that we have grown a connection already, so I am really looking forward to working with him, and to show the character of person I am on and off the pitch.”
