Shelbourne FC are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Jack Henry-Francis, subject to international clearance.

The Republic of Ireland underage international joins the Reds on a multi-year deal. The 21-year-old began his youth career at Fulham before joining Arsenal’s academy at the age of 13. He progressed through the ranks in North London and was a regular presence in senior training sessions under Mikel Arteta, even earning a place in the first-team squad for a pre-season tour of Scotland at just 17.

Henry-Francis joined Sligo Rovers on loan for the second half of the 2024 League of Ireland season. He made 11 appearances in the Premier Division, gaining valuable senior experience and showcasing his quality in midfield.

Eligible to represent Ireland through his family roots in Mayo and Leitrim, Henry-Francis has been capped for Ireland at U19 level on six occasions and made his U21 debut against Kuwait in 2023.

Jack Henry-Francis said: “Delighted to sign for Shelbourne and can’t wait to get started here. After speaking to Joey and everyone at the club it felt like the place for me to further my career. I’m looking forward to some important matches coming up and excited to see the fans.”

Joey O’Brien, Shelbourne FC manager said: “Jack’s a really talented midfielder with a brilliant foundation, coming through at Arsenal and spending time around their first team has given him a great grounding in the game. His loan at Sligo Rovers gave him real exposure to senior football in this league, and he impressed in every game. We’re thrilled he’s chosen to join us at a really exciting time for the club. We believe this is the perfect environment for him to keep developing, and we’re confident he can grow into a top-class midfielder here.”

Luke Byrne, Shelbourne FC Technical Director said: “Very happy to welcome Jack to the club. He is a very determined and ambitious young man and that is the type of player and person we want at Shelbourne FC. He plays with intensity and personality and likes to control games with the ball. Jack had been a target of ours for a long time so it’s great to finally have the chance to work with him and develop him to reach his full potential.”

ENDS