Irish Striker Ciaran Kilduff Joins Armada FC

Jacksonville Armada FC announced Sunday the signing of Ciaran Kilduff, a striker from Ireland, pending ITC and work permit approval. Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kilduff’s signing marks the third addition of a forward to the Armada FC roster in three days. His presence will strengthen the front line and add an offensive advantage. He has 16 appearances in European competition and eight goals in 2017 alone.

"I am very happy to announce the signing of Ciaran,” said Armada FC technical director Nathan Walter. “The NASL is well known for talented Irish players. We feel we have brought on another player of that pedigree.”

The 28-year-old hails from Kilcock, Ireland, and has experience in six clubs in the League of Ireland. Kilduff arrives in Jacksonville after playing for Dundalk FC, of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, for two years.

The striker was instrumental in Dundalk’s success in 2016. He scored a headed goal in a Europa League group stage match to secure a point, which was the first point an Irish team had ever won in the group stages of European competition. The goal earned him the Irish Independent Sports Star of the Week. A few days later he scored the winning goal against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the second Europa League group match. That goal earned him a spot on the UEFA’s Europa League team of the week. He was also a key player in Dundalk’s road to the 2016 FAI Cup Final, by scoring goals to knock out Shelbourne, UCD, and Derry City.

“Ciaran's stats speak for themselves,” said Walter. “His athleticism, power and ability to score goals are only the physical attributes he will bring to the table. The fact that Ciaran has won trophies and played in top European competitions will bring a championship-winning mentality to our club to achieve our goals."

Kilduff grew up in several youth programs through Clane United, Kilcock Celtic, and Maynooth Town before arriving to the Shamrock Rovers. In 2007, he debuted on the first team of the Shamrock Rovers and made three more appearances for the team before being loaned to Kildare County, where he was voted player of the year for 2008.

In 2009, Kilduff joined UCD where his 16 goals in 31 appearances helped the team get promoted to the Premiere division of the League of Ireland. He continued his success with UCD the next year before returning to the Shamrock Rovers in 2011. The team won the league title, the Setanta Cup and reached the Europa League group stages that year.

A brief year with Cork City tallied 12 goals in 14 appearances for Kilduff before he once again returned to the Rovers. He moved on to St. Patrick’s Athletic in early 2015 and then found his home at Dundalk FC in July of that year. The team retained its league title and won the FAI Cup with the help of Kilduff in 2015.