Tyreke Wilson embraces ‘new chapter’ after Dundalk move

Dundalk FC have strengthened their squad with the signing of left-back Tyreke Wilson, who joined The Lilywhites from Shelbourne ahead of their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division campaign.

The transfer, confirmed on Thursday, saw Wilson move from Tolka Park to Oriel Park on the eve of Dundalk’s opening fixture, a 2-2 draw away to Derry City. He was named in the matchday squad and made his debut, replacing Eoin Kenny for the final seven minutes.

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Reflecting on his move, Wilson spoke of the pace of recent days and his eagerness to embrace a new chapter.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind the last couple of days,” he said. “I obviously spoke with Shels last week, and I was available to come. As soon as I heard the manager was wanting me, I wanted to come straight away.

“They obviously came straight up last year. Dundalk is a massive club. When I spoke to Ciaran (Kilduff), the gaffer, he’s just straightforward; everything he says is just straight on, and there’s no bs.

“I know a few of the lads: my brother (JR Wilson), Conor Kearns, I played with a few of the lads at Bohs, Rob Cornwall, so it’s good.”

Wilson joins his brother JR at Oriel, the latter having signed from Athlone Town last season. Football runs in the family: their father, Karl, lined out in the League of Ireland for Shelbourne, St James’s Gate and Monaghan United.

The 26-year-old began his career in the academy at Manchester City before returning to Ireland with Waterford in 2020. Two seasons at Bohemians followed, ahead of a three-year spell at Shelbourne.

It was at Tolka Park that Wilson firmly established himself. He featured in 34 of Shelbourne’s 36 league fixtures in 2024 as they secured the Premier Division title, part of a body of work that has brought him close to 150 appearances in the competition.

“I spent the last three years there,” he said of his time at Shelbourne. “Obviously, the manager, Damien Duff, bringing me in. We were successful. We won a league, but it’s moving on to a new chapter now, and I’m really excited for it.”

Wilson arrives as Dundalk return to the Premier Division following a season’s absence, with their first home fixture of the campaign scheduled for Friday night: the Louth derby against Drogheda United at Oriel (kick-off, 8pm).

“I’ve watched a lot of the games. They’re always feisty and, yeah, that’ll be a really exciting one. It’s really exciting times for the club. Obviously, coming up and the new pitch and that, so it’s really exciting times, and hopefully the fans can back us this year and we’ll do well.”