Kerry Football Club are thrilled to announce the signing of Kilian Cantwell, as the Bray Wanderers Captain makes the switch from County Wicklow to Kerry for the 2026 season.
The experienced Kilkenny native arrives in the Kingdom, becoming Colin Healy’s 5th new signing of the winter League of Ireland transfer window. An extremely experienced centre-back, Cantwell is a massive addition to Healy’s charges ahead of the new season, which kicks off away to UCD AFC on February 13th.
Cantwell first stepped into the League of Ireland pyramid in 2014 with Wexford Youths in the First Division. He played Premier Division football with Galway United (2 seasons), Finn Harps & Limerick FC from 2015 to 2018. His first stint at Bray Wanderers began in 2019 for two seasons before switching to Athlone Town for the 2021 campaign. He settled into life nearer home with Waterford FC in 2022 & 2023 and helped guide the Deise to a play-off win over Cork City in the 2023 campaign, Kerry’s first in the League of Ireland. He returned to Bray in 2024, where he captained the Seagulls over the past two seasons, making it to the play-off final on both occasions in Bray, before landing in the Kingdom ahead of the 2026 campaign.
In all, Kilian has made over 200 appearances in the First Division, with some 96 games under his belt in the Premier Division. In all, the centre back has netted 13 goals and is set to sit right in the heart of Kerry’s defence in 2026. In all, he has made 347 appearances in all competitions at League of Ireland level.
Speaking after he arrived in Mounthawk Park, Kllian Cantwell told kerryfc.com, “I’m grateful for the opportunity that Colin and Billy have given me. Both have contributed so much to football, their ambitions and ethos – it’s an environment I want to be a part of. I’m really looking forward to meeting the players and preparing for a massive 2026 in front of the Kerry FC supporters.”
Also speaking after securing his signature, First Team Manager Colin Healy said, “We are thrilled to have Kilian in the group going into the 2026 season. At 30 years of age, he has a hugely impressive CV, landing here in Kerry. I’m looking forward to seeing him in a Kerry jersey, and I’m sure he is an exciting one for the fans as well. So, overall, just really happy to get the deal done and getting to work with him during pre-season as well.”