Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has left Premier League champions Liverpool to join Premier League rivals Brentford, the south London club confirmed on Tuesday.

Kelleher has signed a five-year contract with Brentford for an initial fee of around 15 million U.S. dollars and leaves after making 25 Premier League appearances and over 40 appearances in various cup competitions for Liverpool since joining five years ago.

Liverpool's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher looks dejected as Plymouth Argyle scores from a penalty-kick during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Plymouth Argyle FC and Liverpool FC in Plymouth, Britain, on Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua)

The Irishman replaces Mark Flekken, who has left Brentford to sign for Bayer Leverkusen, while Georgian international Giorgi Mamardashvili has moved to Liverpool from Valencia.

"I don't think it was very difficult for me to leave. I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a number one and to play every week," Kelleher told the Brentford website.

"I heard of some interest a number of weeks ago. Once I knew Brentford was in for me, it was definitely one I was really excited about and wanted to do as quickly as possible," continued the goalkeeper.

Brentford Director of Football Phil Giles celebrated the signing: "When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhin as his replacement."

"As well as being a very good goalkeeper, I've rarely met a player for whom everybody has such positive words to say about his personality and character. I'm therefore confident he'll be an excellent addition to the squad," he added.