Chance for Mark Travers to stake Ireland claim after Stoke City move

Chance for Mark Travers to stake Ireland claim after Stoke City move

Mark Travers has joined Stoke City on a season-long loan.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Mark Travers has a great chance to rebuild his confidence and reputation with a successful season on loan with Stoke City in the Championship.

Travers, who was a star player for Bournemouth when they won promotion to the Premier League two seasons ago, failed to retain his starting shirt in England’s top tier as Neto signed from Barcelona and became the preferred option between the Cherries’ sticks.

In the end, it was a disappointing season for Travers who would have hoped to have become a Premier League regular – and he also paid the price at international level as he spent the last year as third choice in Stephen Kenny’s pecking order.

Mark Travers and Ireland.

The Kildare native was picked to start for Ireland in their World Cup qualifier against Serbia in March 2021 but two errors saw Gavin Bazunu and then Caoimhin Kelleher leapfrog him in the mind of the Irish management.

And his case wasn’t helped by his club situation last year. Previously there were arguments that Travers should be picked ahead of Kelleher because – unlike Kelleher – he was starting every week, albeit in the Championship.

The fact that Travers barely featured for Bournemouth last season erased any argument as he found himself very much second-choice at club level.

Now though, with a great chance to become a regular at Stoke City, it will be interesting to assess his performances in comparison to Gavin Bazunu of the same league, and Caoimhin Kelleher whose future remains unclear.

Excited.

“This is a great opportunity to test myself in the Championship again and I am pleased to have had the interest from Stoke City,” Travers explained to Stoke City’s official website.

“It is a chance for me to play for a great manager at a really exciting time for the Club, especially with the new signings that are arriving.

“I have heard good things about the Club from players here now – including Ben Pearson and Enda Stevens – and others who have played here before.

“I feel like this is an exciting project and the next step in my career.

“The season is only just around the corner and I cannot wait to get going.”