PARASCHIV SIGNS FOR DUNDALK

Dundalk FC are delighted to announce the signing of exciting young midfielder Andy Paraschiv, who has penned a professional contract with the club having previously been in the underage setup at Bohemians.

Paraschiv, who turns 18 next month, played for the Lilywhites in their pre-season friendly with Shelbourne at the AUL Complex on Saturday and has now been confirmed as the 17th member of Ciarán Kilduff’s squad for the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division season.

The 17-year-old, who Kilduff says can play anywhere in the midfield three, had an option in the North but has landed in Oriel where he has inked his first pro deal.

A former Saint Kevin’s Boys youth, Paraschiv had played for Bohemians, who have close links to Kevin’s, from Under-13 to Under-17 level, before recently spending three months at Leinster Senior League outfit Glebe North.

“It’s a pleasure to be here,” Paraschiv told DFCTV. “The minute Ken (Kiernan) gave me a phone call and told me about everything, the plan he has and what he wants to do here, I wasn’t looking back.

“I was just looking forward and was excited to come here. My first day was last Thursday, the lads took to me very well from the start, so I’m very happy to be here.”

Explaining how the opportunity arose, Andy said: “I was down with Glebe North in the Leinster Senior League. Ken, who was watching me with my college team (DCU) and previously with Bohemians, gave me a text and said ‘do you want to come up and meet the lads?’.

“When he gave me the text, I was buzzing. I was excited to come down. I came down and didn’t look back.

“I had an option up in the North. But I thought when I spoke to Ken and Ciarán about what they want for this club, obviously Dundalk is a massive club, when I heard their plan, and they told me what they want to see from me, I just wanted to be part of this group.”

Paraschiv played the opening 45 minutes of Saturday’s friendly with Shelbourne at the AUL, a game which the League of Ireland Champions won 1-0 after ex-Lilywhite Rayhaan Tulloch’s second-half goal.

“The first game was very good,” Andy said, reflecting on his first outing in White, “against very good opposition. I thought the lads did very well, considering that we had a very young team out.”

Kilduff on Paraschiv
Kilduff spoke highly of his latest signing, stating, “he’s probably one of the most exciting prospects I’ve got to work with in a long time”.

“Andy was one that came onto our radar a couple of months ago,” Ciarán said. “In fairness, Ken Kiernan went out and watched a couple of his games and was filtering back in the type of player he is and the prospect he is.

“He’s after fitting in seamlessly with the group and you could even see against Shelbourne on the weekend the talent he possesses. We’re seeing it every day in training. He’s definitely one to look out for, he’s definitely one with a very high ceiling, and he’s one we’re delighted and excited to have in the group.”

Asked what supporters can expect to see from Paraschiv, Kilduff said: “He’s very tricky, and he’s strong. For a 17-year-old lad, he’s athletic and he’s strong, but he’s very, very good with his feet, and a very, very technical player.

“The lads are realising in training how good he is with his feet. He’s technically very, very creative. For a central midfield player, I think he’s going to be very effective in this division.”

The manager added: “I’d look at him anywhere in the midfield three. He could play anywhere in the centre of the park. He’s so physically ready right now for a 17-year-old – he doesn’t play like one.

“He’s very strong in the tackle but well able to play as well. Honestly, he’s probably one of the most exciting prospects I’ve got to work with in a long time. I’m really, really excited to see how far he can go. I think he’s a really good acquisition.

“He’s probably a player right now that fans are going to be interested to see what he’s like, but I’d be fairly confident that they’ll know all about him in a couple of months’ time.”

Despite his age, Kilduff says that he is a “massive” part of his plans for this year. “Andy’s ready,” the 36-year-old said. “He’s a first-team player. You can see that in training, you could see it against Shelbourne the other day.

“That’s why we went after him. It wasn’t one where you’re going ‘give him a few years to develop’. Andy is ready to go now. He’s going to be pushing to start games, and he will start games this season. He’s a massive part of the first-team squad and plans going forward.”

2025 Dundalk FC Squad
Enda Minogue
Peter Cherrie
Conor O’Keeffe
Mayowa Animasahun
Seán McHale*
Vinnie Leonard
Seán Keogh
Luke Mulligan
Aodh Dervin (Vice-Captain)
Andy Paraschiv
Harry Groome
Daryl Horgan (Captain)
Norman Garbett
Gbemi Arubi
Dean Ebbe
Leo Gaxha
Eoin Kenny

*On loan from Saint Patrick’s Athletic.

Tickets for Friday night’s Leinster Senior Cup match against Malahide United at Oriel Park, kick-off 7.45pm, are now on sale.

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