Sean Roughan has completed a move to Huddersfield Town.
A transfer fee and financial package for Roughan has been agreed as City retained domestic compensation fee rights due to the player being under 24.
The 22-year-old joined City from Shelbourne as a scholar, having previously played at Swords Celtic and Phoenix in his schoolboy years, before signing his first professional contract in July 2020. After being given his debut at just 17 against Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup, Roughan went on to make 11 appearances throughout the 2020/21 campaign, before enjoying a loan at Drogheda United.
Roughan has now surpassed 150 appearances in red and white and has excelled as a left side defender - becoming a regular starter over recent campaigns.
He played every minute of City’s league and FA Cup campaigns last season, receiving an award as recognition from head coach Michael Skubala.
Director of football Jez George said: “Sean’s growth from boy to man, and from a youth team player to an established League One defender is great credit to him and all the staff within the Academy and first team who played such a role in his development, most notably Tom Shaw who has been there with Sean along the whole journey.
“Great credit should also go to the board who backed our judgment that this young man had huge potential back in 2019, enabling him to complete his Irish Leaving Certificate at Lincoln Minster School. This story also wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Mark Wallace, the headmaster of Lincoln Minster School at the time, who found a way to deliver the curriculum with the help of numerous teachers, and Louise Costello, who tutored Sean in Gaelic. They all had a harder job than the football staff!
“We realised this moment would come and whilst we did everything we could to keep Sean, it has been obvious for some time that he would leave this summer. In these circumstances, we have negotiated a fair compensation package, which represents his value and the investment in Sean by the club over six years. To play every minute of every league game last season is testament to Sean’s ability, professionalism as well as his mental and physical strength. It also tells you everything about his character that he remained 100% focused and committed until the last minute of his last game. We wish him well and hope to see him playing higher than League One in the future. He will be a tough act to follow and hard to replace.”