With the January transfer window now open, it is likely that we will see a number of Irish players on the move in the weeks ahead.
Some will be looking for increased playing time with a new team, while others will be hoping to move up the footballing ladder having outgrown their current sides.
Here are seven players we hope to see make a change this month.
Irish players we want to see change clubs
Michael Obafemi (Swansea City)
This season has been a very difficult one for Michael Obafemi. Having excelled in the first half of 2022 and gone into the current campaign carrying lofty expectations, things have not worked out at Swansea City.
Having attempted to force his way out of the club in August, he has never really got back on track. His manager Russell Martin has left him out of the squad in recent times and it is expected he will be on the move in the weeks ahead.
Having attempted to sign him during the summer, Championship leaders Burnley are once again the favourites for his signature. It would be a potentially exciting move.
Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United)
Should Michael Obafemi leave Swansea City, it looks likely that his replacement could be one of his Ireland teammates.
Chiedozie Ogbene has been in brilliant form for Rotherham United this season, impressing during the club's return to the Championship. His contract is up this summer, and with the player showing little interest in signing a new deal, it is likely that Rotherham will cash in this month.
Ogbene was recently left out of the squad for their game against Millwall on January 1st, with Swansea said to be keen on getting a deal over the line in the near future. With the Welsh side still in the promotion mix, you'd imagine that the former Cork City man is keen on the move.
Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Aaron Connolly's brief foray in Italy did not go to plan. His move to Serie B's Venezia was an intriguing one, with many feeling that football on the continent could suit him after a disastrous couple of years in England.
However, it proved to be a disaster. Having played in the first five games of the campaign, he would soon pick up an injury. After returning to full fitness, he was no longer in the club's plans and failed to make another appearance before his loan move was cut short.
Now he's on the lookout for another club, with Hull City boss Liam Rosenoir said to be keen to bring him to the Championship club. Despite being only 22-years old, you get the sense that it could be Connolly's final opportunity to prove himself at a decent level.
Shane Duffy (Fulham, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)
It seems that every time we write an article similar to this one in recent times, Shane Duffy's name is included. His club career has much been in limbo in recent seasons, failing to find much success at Brighton, Celtic, and now Fulham.
His loan move to Craven Cottage has been a bit of a waste of time, playing a grand total of four minutes across four Premier League games this season.
While Fulham would likely want to hold onto him as a squad option, Duffy himself should look for a move in January. At 31-years old and with his place in the Ireland team looking very uncertain moving forward, he can't afford to waste time by sitting on the bench every week.
Festy Ebosele (Udinese)
It is certainly too early to rule out a future for Festy Ebosele at Udinese. While he has made only three brief Serie A appearances off the bench this season, there was always going to be a period of adjustment for the Wexford man who only has one season of senior football under his belt.
A loan move to another Italian club would make a lot of sense, something that has been mentioned as a possibility in recent days. It has been reported that Salernitana are keen to sign him on loan this month.
Sitting in 14th place in Serie A, Salernitana could be an ideal destination for the player for the rest of the season should a guarantee of first team football be on offer. A run in the team would set him up brilliantly for life in Italy moving forward.
Jason Knight (Derby County)
Jason Knight is too good to be playing in League One. That much should be obvious, although he failed to secure a move away from Derby County during the summer.
You'd hope that will manage to do so this month. While Derby are in the promotion race, he should not be forced to toil away in the third tier for another six months.
Hopefully someone comes in with a decent offer for him in the weeks ahead.
Sean Maguire (Preston North End)
Sean Maguire has seen his playing time at Preston North End decrease dramatically over the last 12 months or so. Once the club's first choice striker, he has made only a handful of starts this season due to injury and a lack of form.
With his contract up at the end of the season, Preston would likely be willing to move him on for a nominal fee this month.
Maguire is not in the international reckoning at the moment, although a transfer could quickly change that. He should be looking to secure more playing time over the remainder of the season in order to force his way into Stephen Kenny's plans.
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