NEW DUNDALK GOALKEEPER George Shelvey says his move to the League of Ireland from Nottingham Forest will be “a big step” in his development.

The 22-year-old stopper has joined the Lilywhites on a permanent transfer, pending international clearance.

Shelvey was a part of Forest’s first-team squad last season, and was an unused substitute in Premier League matchday squads against Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

“I spoke to a couple of the Irish lads at Forest and they told me that the League of Ireland is very competitive and every game is a tough environment,” he said on Tuesday.

“It’s time for me to play every week and show people what I can do and try and achieve stuff at Dundalk. It’s a massive club with a rich history and I can’t wait to get going.”

Dundalk manager Stephen O’Donnell said that Shelvey is “a player we have been looking at for a long time”.

“He has been in and around a Premier League environment, trained with many top keepers and is at a good age to establish a career for himself so we are looking for him to come in and make a big impact.”