Top 10 most expensive Irish transfers

Despite only qualifying for six major tournaments in their entire history, the Republic of Ireland has boasted some high profile names in football.

Following a golden era in the late 80s and early 90s, Ireland have gone over 20 years since they last qualified for a FIFA World Cup.

More recently, they qualified for Euro 2012 and 2016, narrowly missing out in 2020 and 2024, showing much improvement from the Gaelic nation.

The level of player possessed by the Boys in Green has improved exponentially in recent years, proven by the recent successes at international level, which is almost entirely led by the quality of personnel within the squad.

With that in mind, we take a look at the top 10 most expensive Irish transfers of all time...

Top 10 most expensive Irish transfers

10. James McCarthy to Everton - £13.5 million

A member of the 2013 FA Cup winning Wigan side, James McCarthy moved to Everton for £13.5 million in September 2014 following the Lactics' relegation to the Championship.

His standout performances for Wigan caused his former Wigan boss Roberto Martinez to break the bank and bring McCarthy to Merseyside.

He went on to play 133 times for the Toffees over six seasons before being sold to Crystal Palace in 2018.

Now 34 years old, the midfielder is currently without a club after leaving Scottish Premiership giants Celtic in August 2024.

9. Gavin Bazunu to Southampton - £15 million

A highly-rated young goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu made the permanent switch from Manchester City to Southampton in 2022 for a fee of £12.5m rising to £15m with add ons.

The now 23 year-old goalkeeper had impressed on loan at Portsmouth in the 2021/22 season which earned him the move to the Saints.

However, his time on the south coast has so far underwhelmed, only keeping 16 clean sheets in 78 matches for the Saints and being a member of the squad which saw them relegated in the 2022/23 season.

The young Irishman spent the second half of 2024/25 season on loan at Belgian side Standard Liège, having failed to make a Premier League appearance this term, where he only made eight appearances and conceded 15 goals.

8. Dara O'Shea to Ipswich - £15 million

A product of the West Bromwich Albion academy, Dara O'Shea made the move to Ipswich Town in the summer of 2024 following a relegation with Burnley.

Having played over 100 times for the Baggies, O'Shea moved to Burnley to play Premier League football in 2023 for around £5m.

Following a strong season despite Burnley's relegation from the top flight, O'Shea earned a move to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town for £15m.

The 25 year-old centre-back suffered back to back relegations following Ipswich's poor 2024/25 season, but recently committed his future to the Tractor Boys with a new five-year contract.

7. Matt Doherty to Tottenham - £15 million

Having joined Wolves from Irish side Bohemians for just €90k in 2011, Doherty had two strong loan spells early in his career with Hibernian and Bury.

Doherty broke into the Wolves team in 2013/14 before going on to make over 350 appearances for the West Midlands outfit, earning himself a £15m move to Tottenham Hotspur in the Summer of 2020.

The full-back struggled with injuries and poor form in North London, making just 71 appearances for the Lilywhites before joining Atletico Madrid on a free transfer in January 2023 and then returning to Wolves just six months later for free.

6. Jake O'Brien to Everton - £16.4 million

A young, physical defender who can operate either centrally or on the right hand side, Jake O'Brien joined Everton in the 2024 summer transfer window for around £16.4m.

Having joined Crystal Palace from Cork City for just €25k in 2021, O'Brien had loan moves with Swindon Town and RWDM Brussels before moving permanently to French side Lyon for less than £1m in 2023.

Following a stellar season in Ligue 1, O'Brien earned his big money move to Merseyside and has since gone on to make 20 Premier League appearances for the Toffees, cementing himself as a starter in the Everton side.

5. Damien Duff to Chelsea - £17 million

Having worked his way through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers, making over 220 appearances and lifting the League Cup in 2002, Damien Duff earned a big money move to Stamford Bridge for around £17m.

Duff made 125 appearances for the Blues, scoring 19 goals, laying on 30 assists and winning two Premier League titles and a League Cup.

After three years at Chelsea, Duff moved to Newcastle in 2006 before moving to Fulham in 2009. He then had a year in Australia with Melbourne City before retiring with Shamrock Rovers in his native Ireland in 2016.

4. Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford - £18 million

Liverpool poached a highly rated 16-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher from Irish side Ringmahon in 2015.

The Irish shot stopper went on to make 67 appearances for the Reds in his 10 years on Merseyside, being a key part of League Cup triumphs, in 2022 and 2024, and an FA Cup win in 2022.

Following strong seasons deputising for Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson, Kelleher moved to Brentford ahead of the 2025/26 season in search of regular first-team football for a fee that could rise to £18m with add ons.

3. Robbie Keane to Liverpool - £19 million

Arguably Ireland's greatest ever player, it is fitting that clinical striker Robbie Keane makes this list.

With stints at Coventry City, Inter Milan, Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Celtic, West Ham United, La Galaxy, Aston Villa and ATK, it's no surprise that the well travelled striker has attracted big transfer fees in the past.

His move from Coventry to Inter Milan was close to making this list, moving for £13m in 2000, as was his move to Leeds United in 2001, which had a reported fee of around £12m.

However, it was his move to Liverpool from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 which features on this list, costing the Reds a reported £19m.

Keane actually flopped in Merseyside, scoring just seven goals in 28 games before being sold back to Spurs a year later.

A Premier League great and the competitions 18th highest goal scorer, Keane scored 126 goals in 349 games in England's top flight, as well as bagging 68 goals in 146 matches for his country.

2. Nathan Collins to Wolves- £20.5 million

At just 15 years old, Nathan Collins made the move from his native Ireland to join Stoke City in 2016.

He grew through the ranks at the Potters before earning a £12m move to then Premier League side Burnley in 2021.

After impressing for the Clarets, Collins moved to the West Midlands to join Wolverhampton Wanderers just a year later for a fee in the region of £20.5 million.

He made 31 appearances in total for Wolves in his only season at the club.

1. Nathan Collins to Brentford - £23 million

Collins' performances at Wolves led to Brentford making a move to bring him to London for a fee around £23m.

The Ireland international has since proven himself to be a solid Premier League centre-back, making 71 appearances for Brentford so far.

Collins is the only player to appear in this list twice and misses out from appearing for a third time by just £3m with his move to Burnley from Stoke.

Transfer fees include potential add-ons*