Meet Michael Noonan… the Ireland talent wanted by Celtic and Manchester United

Celtic and Manchester United are the latest clubs interested in signing Shamrock Rovers talent Michael Noonan. 

The highly-rated forward has enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough season with the League of Ireland winners.

He becomes just the latest prospect to come through the Irish youth set-up and looks braced to follow in the footsteps of teenage stars Mason Melia and Victor Ozhianvuna.

St Pat’s Melia will join Tottenham in January, while Noonan’s club team-mate Ozhianvuna has recently agreed a deal with rivals Arsenal.

Manchester City are also thought to be interested in Noonan, and a host of European clubs could battle for his signature.

Who is Michael Noonan?

The 17-year-old was born in County Kildare and was scouted by St Pat’s while playing his football for Ballyoulster United.

He initially joined their Under-15 side, but quickly progressed through the youth set-up while his potential became more evident.

Noonan started to build his reputation in the Leinster Senior Cup, having scored three and assisted one in four matches.

That earned him a first senior appearance, becoming the club’s youngest ever starter at the age of 15 years and nine months.

A move to Shamrock Rovers followed in January 2025, and the club didn’t have to pay a transfer fee because he was on amateur terms while at St Pat’s.

His stock has risen dramatically, cementing his role as an important first-team player. He has made 30 league appearances, starting 14 of those, scoring six and assisting two.

In February, a month after arriving, he scored against Molde in the Conference League qualifiers on his Shamrock Rovers debut, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history at the age of 16 and 197 days.

When he moved from St Pat’s to Shamrock Rovers, he put the decision down to “opportunity.” He added: “I just felt the next step in my career had a better opportunity and pathway at Rovers.”

What’s his style of play?

Noonan has been described as the traditional No.9, and manager Stephen Bradley has highlighted his natural ability to trouble defenders with his movement.

Earlier in the season, he said: “He caused them all sorts of problems with his movement. He was almost unplayable. His understanding of when to come to his feet and when to go down the sides, to just be strong and then his finish.

“His movement was like an experienced professional, a throwback to Jason Byrne and Glen Crowe. For a 16-year-old it was really high level.”

His all-round play, including his ability to hold up the play and timing his runs in-behind, makes him stand out from other players in his age group.

Typically not the fastest player on the pitch, he makes up for it with his footballing intelligence.

Bradley has also been eager to highlight his dedication to keep improving by stating that they have to “drag him off the training pitch every day.”

Noonan’s possession stats in the League of Ireland are impressive. He sits in the top 76% of players in his position for passing accuracy.

However, he has been dispossessed 29 times, which is in the bottom 25% of fellow strike rivals.

Michael Noonan at his brilliant best!☘️

Touch of class, what a player. pic.twitter.com/mOeJAnyuD2

— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) October 5, 2025

Where will Michael Noonan move to?

Noonan is likely to have a pick of clubs to sign for when the opportunity arises.

And he’ll be in no rush. When the UK left the European Union in 2020, new rules stated that players from the Republic of Ireland without a British passport can’t move to English and Scottish clubs until they turn 18.

Manchester City and Manchester United have held an interest with Noonan holding trials with the former as a 15-year-old.

Celtic have a history of signing and developing young Irish talent and may look to exploit their connections to help secure a deal.

However, the instability within the hierarchy at Celtic may hamper their chances of fending off stiff competition.

A move abroad could also be an option. Noonan has seen the likes of Troy Parrott and Evan Ferguson look to enhance their careers in Europe, while fellow Irish prospect Jaden Umeh is impressing in the Benfica youth side.

How much will he cost?

Ireland’s transfer record has already been broken twice this year. Tottenham spent €1.7m on Melia in February before Arsenal signed Ozhianvuna for €2m in October.

That has set a new benchmark for the going rate of top Irish talent, and there’s every possibility that Noonan may become the League of Ireland’s most expensive player.

However, he does have a contract that expires in 12 months, which may influence his transfer fee.