Cardiff City swoop for Byrne

Shelbourne has confirmed that striker Jason Byrne is to move to Cardiff City for an undisclosed sum.

Dublin-born Byrne, a cousin of Tottenham and Republic of Ireland international forward Robbie Keane, has scored over 100 goals in the last four Eircom League seasons.

Byrne (28) played for Bray Wanderers before joining Shelbourne for whom he scored 30 league and cup goals in 2005, including five in the Champions League.

In a brief statement released this afternoon, Shelbourne said that Byrne, who recently had a week's trial at Ninian Park, was joining the championship club subject to passing a medical examination.

"We wish to thank Jason for the many great moments he gave us over the last number of years and wish him every success in the future," the club said.

Byrne, who has two senior international caps to his name, joins former West Ham goalkeeper David Forde at Cardiff, after he signed a two-year-deal from Derry City at the start of the year.

Cardiff currently lie in 8th place in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The news comes as a serious blow to Shelbourne who have lost a number of high-profile players recently. The Eircom League club must also resume their search for a successor to Pat Fenlon after Pete Mahon told the board of UCD that he has turned down a chance to take over the reins at Tolka Park.