We've asked Conor McEvoy (@reptracker) to look at some of the notable transfers involving MNT players over the summer as we look ahead to the England match...

By Conor McEvoy (@reptracker)  

It's safe to say that the 2023/24 campaign was a successful season for Irish players at club level. At Premier League level, we saw 15,593 minutes played for Irish players – a remarkable increase of two-thirds over the previous season. We are also now seeing more Irish footballers moving to mainland Europe and impressing in countries like Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands and France.  

With the improvements from Irish footballers and more importantly from young Irish footballers at club level, interest in their services follow. I'm going to look at six Irish players who’ve been on the move this summer and will look to impress Heimir Hallgrímsson before the massive fixture against England on Saturday, September 7 at the Aviva Stadium, with kick-off at 5pm. 

Name: Jake O’Brien 
Age: 23 
Positon: Centre Back 
Transfer: Lyon to Everton 

After an outstanding season with Lyon, there was no surprise when rumours started to circulate of interest from clubs like Borussia Dortmund and West Ham. But it was Everton who pushed ahead and secured a deal for the centre-back who scored an impressive four goals in Ligue 1 last season for a fee, believed to be in the region of €20 million. The Cork native was rewarded for his excellence under interim manager John O’Shea with his first call-up in March and then making his debut against Hungary in the June window. O’Brien will now look to flourish in the Premier League which will leave Hallgrímsson with another option and potentially become a regular starter for the national team. 

Name: Adam Idah 
Age: 23 
Position: Striker 
Transfer: Norwich City to Celtic 

In 2024, Adam Idah fulfilled the dream of any Irish lad in signing for Celtic but the striker did a lot more than just feature for them. He scored some key goals in helping Celtic retain the title but most famously, he won over the hearts of all Celtic fans by scoring a 90th minute winner against Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final. After months of the Celts fans praying Idah would return on a permanent basis, they got their wish when on August 14th when Celtic announced that they had re-signed Adam in a deal worth over a reported €9 million. Thankfully just 10 days after the Cup Final, Idah carried the form over to international football, scoring a lovely header in Ireland’s win against Hungary. There’s no doubt Adam can carry that form over to this season and kick on even further for club and country. 

Name: Sammie Szmodics 
Age: 28 
Position: Attacking Midfield 
Transfer: Blackburn Rovers to Ipswich Town 

There’s not much more that can be said about Sammie Szmodics. After scoring 27 times last season for Blackburn Rovers who were in a relegation battle, there was no doubt that Sammie was in for a transfer to the Premier League, despite reported interest from Turkey. And on last Friday, Szmodics’ dream came true when newly promoted Ipswich Town secured the No.10’s services for a reported fee of €10.6 million, an absolute bargain for someone of that quality. Sammie has certainly been a late bloomer and made his first Ireland appearance this year at 28-years-old but with his ability and the mentality, this man currently possesses, we will see a lot more of this man in a green jersey. Szmodics will be a key player under Heimir Hallgrimsson. 

Name: Bosun Lawal 
Age: 21 
Position: Central Midfield 
Transfer: Celtic to Stoke City 

After being lauded as the future of the Irish midfield by many, there has been huge expectations put on Bosun Lawal’s shoulders. Despite playing as a midfielder in his younger days in Ireland and at Watford, Bosun was turned into a centre-half at Celtic which raised the eyebrows of many. Bosun was on loan at Fleetwood Town last season and used mainly as a defender until Charlie Adam became the gaffer in December converting him back into a box to box, physically dominant midfielder who got fans off their feet with dribbles through the midfield. John O’Shea took notice of his superb form and called the former St. Kevins man up to Ireland MNT for the first time in June. Lawal was grabbing interest from teams all over Europe and the EFL this summer but he decided that signing for Stoke City, was the right move for him. Stoke picked him up for a bargain price of just over a reported €2 million and have certainly bagged a player for the future. 

Name: Andrew Moran 
Age: 20 
Position: Attacking Midfield 
Club: Stoke City - on loan from Brighton 

Andrew Moran had an impressive loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last season scoring four goals and picking up nine assists. Moran is seen as one the very best talents to come of Ireland in a long time with his elite dribbling and oozes class on the ball. Moran impressed in pre-season for Brighton this summer and was rewarded with a new four-year deal by the Seagulls but the decision was made that another year playing every regularly was best for his future. Moran’s former coach at U-19 level for Ireland and Sporting Director at Stoke City Jonathan Walters, got on the phone and has created a dynamic Irish duo in midfield for the Potters with Moran and Lawal set to create some magic this season. If Andrew can showcase his class in the Championship this season, there's no doubt that Hallgrimsson could look upon him favourably for MNT action in the future 

Name: Troy Parrott 
Age: 22 
Position: Striker 
Club: Tottenham Hotspur to AZ Alkmaar 

At just 22 years old, Troy Parrott is a player who has incredible experience at such an early age. He has gone and learnt his trade on loan at multiple EFL clubs with some success, picking up a difficult injury out on loan at Preston North End. It was last season on loan at Excelsior where Troy really flourished scoring 17 goals and picking up five assists in a team that got relegated. Parrott also has come right into the international picture with his performances in the Netherlands and topped off an amazing campaign for Ireland with a 92nd minute winner against Hungary. Teams certainly took notice of Troy’s form and AZ Alkmaar, who are in the Europa League next season, took keen interest in bringing Parrott back to the Eredivisie and agreed a reported €8 million fee to sign the former Belvedere man.