Transfer talk: Shay Given could make shock move to join Doncaster

Club linked with a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper as well as Stephen Ireland and Richard Dunne as Irish influence starts to take over at the Keepmoat

Shay Given (GETTY IMAGES)

Irishman Shay Given is being reported as Doncaster Rovers latest signing ahead of a spree that will bring a number of high profile players to the club.

The Daily Mail are reporting that Given will join Doncaster on a season-long loan, with Rovers receiving substantial funding from a group of Irish investors to strengthen the newly-promoted Championship club.

Other big names that could join up with the club include Given’s Villa teammate Stephen Ireland, and former defender Richard Dunne, who left Villa Park this summer after his contract expired.

Doncaster are also reported as attempting to lure Billy Sharp back to his former club. Sharp, who was sold to Southampton for £1.8 million in 2012, and he could return for a fee around £850,000.

Given remains on the hunt for first-team football having fallen behind American Brad Guzan in the pecking order under Paul Lambert.

Having joined Villa from Manchester City, where he saw his starting spot claimed by current England goalkeeper Joe Hart, Given has 34 appearances for the Villans since his debut in 2011.

He is the Republic of Ireland’s second-most capped player with 125 appearances, just two behind all-time leader Robbie Keane.