Dundalk FC are delighted to announce the signing of defender Ethen Vaughan, who has completed a move to Oriel Park from Brighouse Town.
The 23-year-old, who can play right-back, right wing-back or centre-half, impressed manager Ciarán Kilduff on trial earlier this month and earned a contract, with the final details signed off on Saturday.
Vaughan previously played at Norwich City and Burnley before having spells at a number of lower league clubs, most recently with Brighouse, who he joined from Hyde United.
The Halifax native says that the opportunity to sign for Dundalk presents a “step-up” for him and he is hoping that it is a move that will see him progress in his career.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to get this sorted,” Vaughan told dundalkfc.com. “I’ve been working hard behind the scenes with my old club, and individually to stay fit, to stay at this standard because I’ve come over here and the standard is high.
“The lads are good, it’s a good group. I’m very happy to get this done. Thanks to the gaffer for giving me this opportunity.”
Explaining how the chance to come to Dundalk came about, Ethen added: “I came in to just do a bit of training, thanks to the gaffer again for giving me that opportunity.
“It turned out that I did well and he offered me a contract to come here and play. I was like ‘yeah, 100 percent’. It’s a step-up for me in my career. I really think we can kick on and get back to where the club should be.”
25 January 2025; Ethen Vaughan is unveiled as a Dundalk FC player at Oriel Park. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.
Vaughan has settled in quickly to life at Oriel Park.
“It’s a great squad, there are some great characters in it, there are some good leaders in it,” he said of his new teammates, “and I think with the team we have, we’ll be up there this season.”
On his most recent club, Brighouse, the defender said: “Brighouse was a local team for me, a great squad. The manager and the assistant manager are great people, they always gave me the opportunity to play, be seen and get my clips.
“Brighouse, I take my hat off to them, because they have been very supportive through it all. I wish them all the best for the rest of the season. At the end of the day, I need to move on and progress in my career.”
Asked what supporters can expect to see from him, Vaughan explained: “I’m a big, quick, powerful lad. If I’m playing right-back, I’m up and down all game. If I drop into centre-half, I’m big, powerful, strong, can defend, I’m not going to get beaten in behind.
“If you put me higher up the pitch, on the wing, I can run in behind, I can cross balls, I’ve got a good delivery, and I think the fans will like it if they get behind me and get me going.”
Vaughan made his first appearance for Dundalk on Saturday morning, playing the full 90 minutes of the rearranged behind-closed-doors friendly with Tom Mohan’s Ireland Under-19s at Oriel Park. The match finished 1-1.
“It was a good runout for me,” he said. “Over in England, it’s the midseason so I’m kind of up there with match fitness. But due to the weather over in England, a couple of games have been cancelled, so it was good to get the 90 back in the legs and see where I’m at. I feel good and like I’m ready to kick on.”
And the Englishman is hoping for a big season as Dundalk aim to bounce back to the Premier Division at the first time of asking.
“There are good characters here and I think we’re going to be challenging to get back up,” Vaughan said. “The squad want nothing less than to put the club back where they belong.”
25 January 2025; Ethen Vaughan of Dundalk during the pre-season friendly between Dundalk and Ireland Under-19s at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.
Kilduff On Vaughan
Speaking on the signing, which brings his official first-team squad to 20, Kilduff explained: “Ethen has an agent and he reached out. We looked for his profile as a very athletic defender, who can play right-back, right wing-back, potentially right-side centre back, and he has good experience over in the lower leagues in England.
“We had him over on trial for a week, he took to it like a man who was meant to be here, the lads took a real shine to him, he really impressed in the training sessions and we were delighted to get him on board.
“As I say all the time, I don’t know my starters or my back-ups just yet. He’s going to get opportunities in these upcoming friendlies to decide that himself, as will the rest of the lads.
“We saw here with the match against Usher Celtic the other night, and today, that opportunities will be given and more will come. Ethen will get his opportunity and he’ll decide whether he’s going to be starting or one of those lads who will be waiting for an opportunity once the season starts.”
Speaking on Vaughan’s performance against the Irish Under-19s on Saturday, the manager added: “I thought he was excellent. I think you can see how physical he is and the way he wants to play. He’s fit and he’s hungry.
“Kind of what we said when we were starting this rebuild here, these are the types of people we want around the place. I’m delighted to have him. I think the lads are happy to see him back as well. He’s another man in the dressing-room for us, which is something we really felt we needed at this time.”
2025 SQUAD
Enda Minogue (GK)
Conor O’Keeffe
Seán Keogh
Mayowa Animasahun
Seán McHale*
Aodh Dervin (vice-captain)
Daryl Horgan (captain)
Harry Groome
Dean Ebbe
Leo Gaxha
Gbemi Arubi
Luke Mulligan
Norman Garbett
Vinnie Leonard
Eoin Kenny
Keith Ward
Peter Cherrie (GK)
Andy Paraschiv
Ethen Vaughan
Sammy Safaei (GK)
*On loan from Saint Patrick’s Athletic.
