In the last 24 hours, Galway United have announced the signings of 23 year old Canadian forward Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau and 24-year-old Portuguese goalkeeper Hugo Pires da Cunha, as well as confirming that Richie Holland has joined as John Caulfield's assistant manager and Mark Herrick joins as Opposition Analyst. The club have also disclosed that Women's Manager Phil Trill has signed a new two-year deal.
At the fans' Q&A at the Maldron Hotel, Sandy Road, on Monday night, John Caulfield announced the two new signings. Nicolas Fleuriau Chateua joins on a free transfer from MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps. The Canadian played his football at Finnish side Vaasan Palloseura on loan from Vancouver last season, where he scored four goals in 22 appearances.
Hugo Pires da Cunha also joins on a free transfer from Portuguese top-flight side Famalicao. Before joining Famalicao in 2023, he spent the first seven years of his career in the Sporting Lisbon academy and has made one international appearance for the Portuguese Under-17 team.
On Tuesday afternoon, the club announced that former Cork City and Cobh Ramblers assistant manager Ritchie Holland would be coming in as John Caulfield's number two. Holland was in temporary charge of Cobh for their 2-1 aggregate First Division Play-off semi-final loss to Treaty United after Mick McDermott's departure at the end of the regular season.
Mark Herrick will join the club as opposition analyst. Herrick will be no stranger to Terryland, having made 133 appearances for the Tribesmen between 1993 and 1996 before leaving for Cork City and returning to Galway in 2001. His father, John, was a former Galway United player and manager.
On Tuesday morning, Phil Trill was announced to have signed a new two-year deal to continue on as Women's manager until the end of the 2027 season. Trill has led United to two All-Island Cups in 2023 and 2024, as well as finishing 3rd in the Women's Premier Division the past two seasons.
Galway United will open their League of Ireland Men's Premier Division campaign at home to Drogheda United on Friday, February 6th at 7:45 pm at Eamonn Deacy Park.
While Galway United Women will open their league campaign on Saturday, March 14th, away to DLR Waves.
