Brighton defender Eiran Cashin is set to move from the Amex for big-spending Birmingham City on loan.
The Irishman, who has represented his country at Under-21 level, is very highly rated with the Premier League club.
Cashin, 23, joined the Amex from Derby in January, having come through their youth academy.
He went on to make his top-flight debut when he came on as a substitute in a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
According to sports reporter Mike McGrath, Brighton and Birmingham have agreed on a temporary deal. He wrote: “Brighton have agreed a deal for Eiran Cashin to join Birmingham City on a season-long loan.
“Highly rated Ireland centre-back, arrived at Amex in January and has made EPL debut.”
Although born in Mansfield, Cashin qualifies to play for Ireland through his grandmother and is also capped at Under-18 level.
He has bags of Championship experience having made 126 appearances in the second tier.
Brighton transfer could help promotion bid
Birmingham, financed by mega-wealthy Americans, are attempting to build a squad gunning for back-to-back promotions.
They’ve already spent around €9million on Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi. Demarai Gray and Bright Osayi-Samuel are two other high-profile arrivals.
Irish bookmakers believe they have a real chance of a return to the Premier League following their relegation in the 2010/11 season. They are the 13/2 third favourites behind Ipswich and Southampton.
A move to play regular football will also no doubt bolster his chances of a senior call-up for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s international side.
Although the World Cup qualifiers in September and October may come too soon, a string of strong performances and potential promotion will certainly raise the eyebrows of Hallgrimsson.
Another Irish player makes a transfer
Elsewhere, Sligo Rovers today confirmed that midfielder Connor Malley has left the club for Shamrock Rovers on loan.
Malley had fallen out of favour with the manager and had failed to secure any pitch time in their last eight matches.
His attitude had been called into question, and many supporters will question whether he downed tools having failed to get a move in January.
Malley has a contract with Sligo Rovers until November and it appears extremely unlikely that he’ll extend his stay there.
Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley said: “We’re obviously delighted to get a player of Connor’s calibre in the door.
“He’s someone we’ve admired for a long time and we spoke to him and he was very keen to come. So I think Connor will add real quality to the group.”
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