HAVING endured what seemed to be nothing but a stream of negativity in relation to squad news for the new season, Galway United fans were finally thrown some good news this week with the confirmation that that two fan favourites are staying put, while a new signing was also confirmed.

Dave Hurley is believed to have rejected an offer from Sligo Rovers to stay at United; while Killian Brouder is understood to have been offered a deal from Waterford, but has opted to remain for an eighth season at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Meanwhile, the England-born centre-back Wasiri Williams was confirmed as the club’s first new signing on Wednesday. He joins from Latvian club Daugavpils, but has League of Ireland experience, having made 10 appearances for Dundalk in 2023.

Jimmy Keohane and Ed McCarthy are also expected to be confirmed in the coming days, joining the four individuals who are already on deals.

Aaron Bolger, Dara McGuinness, and Axel Piesold all signed 18-month deals when joining during the summer; while Junior Thiam is also under contract at the club for 2026 after signing his first professional contract with the club in July.

Deals with other players are close to being finalised – club record appearance holder, Stephen Walsh, for one, is not thought to be going anywhere else – while a number of new players have also put pen to paper with United for next season, but with manager John Caulfield on holidays and out of the country, those announcements have been put on hold.

As for the manager himself, his deal is believed to have expired at the end of the season, but while the club didn’t comment on his situation, it is widely believed he has accepted a new contract – with some reports suggesting a two-year contract has been agreed.

He is also believed to be close to appointing an assistant manager: Jon Daly was thought to be interested in staying after his short-term deal finished at the end of the season, but he has since being appointed as the new Waterford manager.

All of that confirms a stability that many were fearful of as all of the news coming out of the club up to this week had been about players departing.

What made the optics even poorer was the fact that the club was merely confirming the departures of players after many of the individuals had taken to their own social media accounts to say they were leaving.

Evan Watts was the first to leave, the goalkeeper’s loan spell coming to an end as he returned to Swansea City in October after picking up a late season-ending injury. However, United are believed to be keen to bring him back for 2026, with talks believed to be ongoing both with the player and with the Welsh club.

The other senior goalkeeper at the club was the next to say he was off to pastures new, with Athlone Town subsequently confirming that Brendan Clarke had signed for them for 2026.

That was followed by the departure of Malcolm Shaw, who was released; Cork native, Garry Buckley, has signed for Cobh Ramblers; while Patrick Hickey was officially confirmed as a Bohemians player for 2026.

The club finally got out in front of the rumour mill when confirming the departures of Vince Borden, Regan Donelon, Jeremy Sivi, and Bobby Burns.

The biggest surprise there was Burns, who was believed to have agreed terms on a new contract – the player himself confirmed he had turned down a multi-year deal, and he is believed to have signed for Dundalk.

The other three players mentioned in the statement were released by the club: Borden is believed to have had offers from both Athlone Town and Kerry FC, with the Munster club his most likely destination.

Jeannot Esua is also understood to have left the club, despite United wanting to keep him. He is rumoured to be off to Sligo Rovers; while Rob Slevin has joined Derry City, after signing a precontract agreement with the Candystripes during the summer.

The squad will return to outdoor training in the first week of January, but gym work is expected to begin next month.

The new season is expected to kick-off on the weekend ending Sunday, February 8, a week earlier than in 2025, in an effort to remove at least some Monday night games from the schedule.

Pictured left: Galway United’s Killian Brouder who is extending his stay at the club to an eighth season and right: Patrick Hickey who has departed Galway United in favour of a move to Bohemians next season.