Keaney has six years pro experience playing in Ireland, N. Ireland
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Jan. 29, 2026) – Corpus Christi FC has signed center back Jack Keaney to his first USL League One contract ahead of the Sharks first professional season in 2026, pending league and federation approval.
Keaney brings great experience playing six seasons at midfield and defense in the top two divisions in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Keaney joins CCFC from Cliftonville FC in Northern Ireland. Keaney and “The Reds” recently won the BetMcLean Cup (Northern Ireland Football League Cup) and reached the qualifying round for the UEFA Conference League.
A native of Donegal, Ireland, Keaney came up in the nearby Sligo Rovers Academy eventually earning a place on the first team in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He made 34 starts, 39 appearances in total and scored six goals.
In the 2019-2020 season Keaney moved to University College Dublin A.F.C where he was a captain and played for four seasons. Keaney then signed with Drogheda FC in 2024. In his lone season, he helped secure an FAI Cup championship.
Keaney now makes his move to the United States for a new challenge.
“I have been looking at coming to the USL the last few seasons and sadly it never worked until now,” Keaney said. “I’m always someone who believes in waiting until the time is right and when I had the conversations with Éamon about the club and their ambitions for next few seasons, it really excited me. I know it’s a new franchise, but hopefully we can build something special here, and give the fans a team that they’re proud to support each week! I’m really looking forward to moving over and getting started!”
Jack is another team addition Head Coach Éamon Zayed has had his eye on for some time.
“Jack is a massive addition to USL League One and Corpus Christi,” Coach Zayed said. “Firstly, I want to thank his former club Cliftonville FC for helping facilitate the move seamlessly. I’ve followed Jack’s career for the last 5 years or so and have been close to signing him in the past. Life is about timing and this is the perfect time for Jack to come over to USL and work together. He is an old school tough but technical center back who wants to win. He also has a knack for scoring goals, nicknamed “The Donegal Drogba” for his goal scoring exploits as a center half. Corpus Christi fans will be excited to watch him. I am also really excited to work with Jack this season and I’ve no doubt he will prove himself to be a top center back in USL this season.”
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CCFC has a new home at the Corpus Christi Multi-Sport Complex currently being constructed at 5102 Old Brownsville Road. The $28.3 million complex will include a 5,000 seat stadium for all of the Sharks USL League One home games. You can also choose the best seats at our new stadium by securing your season tickets now! You can do so here.
CCFC was established in 2017 by Dr. Kingsley Okonkwo. The club played their first season in 2018 in the Premier Development League under the umbrella of the United Soccer League. In 2019, the league rebranded to USL League Two. The Sharks have played in this league since and won their first Lone Star Division title in 2024. In that same season, the Sharks made their longest run in the USL League Two playoffs reaching the third round.
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