MK Dons announced they have signed former Carlisle goalkeeper Michael Kelly to a short-term contract.

A short-term deal to sign the 27-year-old Irishman was announced this morning (September 9), with Kelly named on the bench for the Dons’ League 2 match against Notts County.

ang Carlisle in June and is available in the open market.

Kelly told MK Dons’ official website that he was delighted to join the club.

“It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours, but I’m happy to be here,” he said. “As soon as I heard that MK Dons was interested, I wanted to join. The boys have come far this season and hopefully I can rally the group and get us going.

“I like to think of myself as a big goalkeeper – I like to use my height and frame to my advantage. I’m also quite a technical goalkeeper with the ball at my feet, but I will do everything I can to help the team move forward.

The goalkeeper spent most of his playing career in Ireland, starting his professional career with Shamrock Rovers.

He then spent two years with Cabinteely, making 50 appearances for the club, before spending time with Longford Town. After further spells with Bohemians, Cabinteely and Longford Town for the second spell and Bray Wanderers, Kelly left Ireland last summer, joining Carlisle and making three appearances for the Cumbrians in the EFL Trophy.

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MK Dons have completed the signing of goalkeeper Michael Kelly on a free transfer.

Kelly, 27, joins the football club on a short-term deal after leaving Carlisle United in June and is eligible to feature in the Sky Bet League Two match against Notts County at Stadium MK this afternoon.

The goalkeeper has spent most of his career in his native Republic of Ireland, making almost 120 appearances across seasons with Shamrock Rovers, Cabinteely, Longford Town, Bohemian and Bray Wanderers.

Kelly crossed the Irish Sea to join Carlisle United in July 2022 and was part of the Cumbrians side that won promotion from Sky Bet League Two last season. “It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours but I’m so excited to be here,” Kelly told mkdons.com.

“As soon as I heard that MK Dons was interested, I wanted to join. The boys have come a long way this season and hopefully I can complete the group and get us going.

“I like to think I’m a big goalkeeper – I like to use my height and frame to my advantage. I’m also quite a technical goalkeeper with the ball at my feet, but I’ll do anything. Anything I can do to help the team.” team moves forward.

Kelly began his senior football career with Shamrock Rovers, making his debut in a League of Ireland Premier Division match against Finn Harps in March 2014. He spent two years with Shamrock, before joining Cabinteely, for whom he kept a total of 12 clean sheets in 55 appearances over two seasons.

Leaving to join Longford Town in 2018, Kelly represented Town 39 times before moving to Premier Division side Bohemian the following season. After one season with Bohs, the goalkeeper returned to Cabinteely and increased his total number of appearances for Cabo to 61 matches.

Kelly has signed for another of his former teams in 2021, returning to Longford Town. After playing a further 10 times for county club Longford, he moved to First Division side Bray Wanderers, for whom he played eight matches. In July 2022, Kelly left Ireland for the first time to join Carlisle United. He