Kildare's Vassenin named in Ireland U18 squad

Klub Kildare ended to season on a high with the news that Egor Vassenin has been selected on Colin O'Brien’s Irish Under 18 team that will play in a friendly international tournament in Croatia this week against Japan, Croatia and Portugal. Vassenin is the ninth player to receive international recognition for Klub Kildare since the club was formed in 2019.

He joined the Academy at Under 10 and was part of the Academy until he signed for Klub Kildare at Under 13 level from Kilcullen in 2020.

He has continued to play at Under 15, Under 17 and this year was a mainstay of the Under 20 team although only having his reached his 17th birthday in October, and he has previously been capped at under 16 and 17 level.

First up for the young Irish team is Japan on Wednesday, followed by hosts Croatia on Saturday before Ireland close out the international window with a game against Portugal.

The friendlies will form preparation for the 2025/26 UEFA Under-19 Qualifiers next autumn.

Speaking ahead of the games Colin O’Brien said: “These are really important games. With the current format there’s no competitive competition at this age group so it’s vital we get players at this age playing strong opposition. Players develop differently, some have stepped up to the Under-19s, with others it’s really important we bring them in and playing.

“I’m delighted we have this level of opposition. Portugal, we played them last year and the went all the way to the Under-17s final. Croatia are always a strong opponent and getting a country like Japan, I’m really excited about, as they play a really attacking type of football. It will be strong opposition and I’m looking forward to the challenge.” 

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-18s Squad 

Goalkeepers: Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Cian O’Shea (Stockport County) 

Defenders: Luca Cailloce (Shelbourne), Fiachra Coffey (Shelbourne), Daniel Mare (Shamrock Rovers), Taylor McCarthy (Shelbourne), Harry McGlinchey (Chelsea), Raymond Offor (Shelbourne), James Roche (Shamrock Rovers), Kaylem Harnett (Wexford FC), Egor Vassenin (Klub Kildare).

Midfielders: Adam Brennan (UCD), Sean Moore (Bohemians), Luke O’Donnell (Wolves), Joe Sheridan (Cliftonville), Keilan Quinn (Aston Villa) 

Forwards: Kyle Fitzgerald (Galway United), Daniel Ring (Shelbourne), Matt Murray (Cork City), Zak O’Sullivan (Waterford), Ajibola Oluwabiyi (Shamrock Rovers) 

International Friendly Fixtures (All kick-off times are Irish time) 

Wednesday, November 13 | Ireland v Japan, Sports Centre Zelena Laguna, Poreč, KO 11:00 

Saturday, November 16 | Croatia v Ireland, Sports Centre Zelena Laguna, Poreč, KO 13:30 

Tuesday, November 19 | Portugal v Ireland, Sports Centre Zelena Laguna, Poreč, KO 11:00