Hull City have signed highly-rated Republic of Ireland international Cathal McCarthy from University College Dublin (UCD), though he'll return to the League of Ireland club until the end of the season before linking up with the Tigers next summer.
The 18-year-old has impressed across the Irish Sea after making his senior debut back in May, coming off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Athlone Town and then earned his first start the following month in another 2-2 draw against Cobh Ramblers, as well as notching up appearances against Treaty United and Wexford.
He's now become a regular in William O’Connor's matchday squad, being named on the bench on seven other occasions and playing in the FAI Cup, and played for the Irish Under-19s in a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan back in September, alongside another of City's bright young starlets in Stan Ashbee.
The central defender spent much of the summer on trial at City, playing in pre-season friendly games against Blackburn Rovers and Scarborough Athletic, playing 65 minutes against the Seasiders before heading back to Ireland.
City have beaten off competition from Championship rivals Derby County, Norwich City and Millwall as well as Premier League duo Everton and Fulham, which will delight new head of emerging talent Emyr Humphries.
