WATFORD HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of Irish goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin from St Patrick’s Athletic.

Transfers between League of Ireland and English clubs are fairly commonplace but, take a look at 27-year-old Gilmartin’s career to-date and you will realise why some Hornets fans have been left baffled by the deal.

A Dublin native who played schoolboy football with St Kevin’s Boys before moving to Walsall as a teenager, the former Ireland underage international joined Watford in 2010 but spent the majority of his time there out on loan with Yeovil Town and Crawley Town.

He departed two years later and enjoyed a season at Plymouth Argyle but was offered the chance to return home with St Pat’s in 2013.

During his time with the Saints, Gilmartin was restricted to just 45 minutes of SSE Airtricity League football and nine cup appearances as back-up to first choice stopper Brendan Clarke.

However, this morning it has been announced that he will begin a second spell at Watford after agreeing a one-year deal. Heurelho Gomes, once of Tottenham, and Jonathan Bond are the Championships club’s current goalkeepers.

Here’s some Twitter reaction to the news:

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Rodgers reassures Sturridge as Balotelli looms

Fitness not to blame for late goals, says Coleman