Grimsby Town Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of winger Brendan Kiernan on loan from fellow Sky Bet League Two side Walsall until January 2023.
After spells in the Academy systems at both Fulham and Crystal Palace, the 29-year-old made the move to AFC Wimbledon, where he signed his first professional contract, spending a further two years at the club. Throughout the majority of his footballing career, Kiernan has spent the majority of his time in the South East, representing the likes of Braintree, Bromley, Ebbsfleet United, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Welling United before making the move north to Harrogate Town.
Kiernan helped Harrogate Town secure promotion to the EFL in the 2019/20 season, followed by a 17th place finish in League Two in the 2020/21 campaign. In his two-year spell at the club, Kiernan made a total of 76 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals.
Following the expiration of his contract at Harrogate Town, Kiernan signed for his current parent club, Walsall in July 2021 on a two-year contract. In his first season at the Saddlers, the winger made a total of 41 appearances in all competitions, contributing with six goals.
The winger spoke exclusively to GTTV this afternoon at Blundell Park following today’s media day, following his first session with his new teammates.
“I am looking forward to it. I am pleased that Grimsby was interested and I am looking forward to getting started. I felt like I had done well [at Walsall]. They’re another passionate fanbase, I clicked with some of my teammates, but I am looking forward to kicking off here and showing what I am about.
“I am looking forward to getting to know the boys. I just want to make things happen in and around the box, create chances, get my shots off and I just really want to drive the team on.
“When I knew the manager was interested, I had a good conversation with him, he had done his research and I had done mine and I thought it was a good fit for me. I had a really good first session, the boys have said there are quite a few new faces here, so we are just getting to know everyone’s names, but it was good, a bit of running as well but I have enjoyed it”.
Manager Paul Hurst also spoke to GTTV following today’s media day, confirming his previous interest in the attacker.
“Brendan’s a player that is predominantly a wide player but can also play down the middle and I like the fact that he gives us another option as a striking option depending on what’s happening in the games.
“As I said, I have brought him in predominantly as a wide player. I thought we needed a little bit more competition across that side and he is a player with experience, he worked hard for his opportunity in the League and last season, I will be honest, we had a look at him and asked the question, but he wanted to be in the League and that’s what he did. He had spells at Harrogate, I watched him score a hattrick for Harrogate against Cambridge prior to us playing them on the last game of the season and I have kept an eye on him.
“Last year, he had a decent spell with Walsall as well, but for whatever reason he was made available and very quickly, in truth, once that happened we stated our interest and thankfully, we have got that done. It is only until January, but we are open-minded on it on both sides to see how things go, but pleased we have added someone with another goal threat to the team, which is obviously important and as I said, has experience of the League, so I am pleased with his addition and adds more competition to the squad”.
You can watch Brendan Kiernan’s first interview as a Mariners player below via our official YouTube channel. Be sure to like and subscribe and never miss an upload.
Welcome to Blundell Park, Brendan!
