Amid the fixture list for the 2026 League of Ireland season being announced today where Cork City will begin their First Division campaign against Treaty United in February, the club announced official transfer updates ahead of the 2026 First Division season.
Sean Murray and Charlie Lutz departs Cork City FC
Sean Murray was confirmed to have “reached a mutual cancellation of his contract with the club for family reasons”, according to City’s social media accounts. The midfielder made over 60 appearances at Leeside.
In a statement on the club’s official website., Murray stated, “I would like to thank everyone at City for making me so welcome. I have really enjoyed my two seasons with the club, albeit I was disappointed in how last season ended.”
“From my point of view, I have a young family and they are still based in Belfast, so being away from them as much as I have been was getting harder and harder, so I think this is the right thing to do at this time. The fans were brilliant with me throughout my time at the club, along with the players, the staff and everyone around the club. It’s a great club with great people involved and I have no doubt that they will bounce back. I wish City every success for the future.”
Striker Charlie Lutz also left the club recently to join Worchester United in England. Lutz scored 1 goal in 11 appearances for Cork City. City fans were in severe wait of recent for another signing since Midfielder Niall O’Keeffe signed from Cobh Ramblers a few weeks ago.
Photo taken by @KDB Photos
Hans Mpongo signs for City
City also announced the signing of Dutch Striker Hans Mpongo from Finn Harps. The Forward scored 8 goals in 15 appearances at Ballyboffey and was highly rated at the Donegal Club. The 22 year old also played at Brentford’s reserves and for Dutch club NAC Breda.
Mpongo spoke in Bishopstown at City’s training grounds and stated on arrival, “I am really, really happy. I’m really excited, and I honestly can’t wait to get started. Cork City is a huge club with a huge fanbase, and I really can’t wait to play in front of the fans and to do well for the team, My goal is to continue on the form I had at Finn Harps, and with every ability I have within myself, bring that to this team to help get the club back where it belongs.”
Manager Ger Nash also commented quoting, “Along with having a good number of players under contract from last season, we have now added Niall O’Keeffe and Hans to the group. We are still in discussions with a number of players, but we are happy that we have some very good players under contract and already in the building.” Hans Mpongo will join Sean Maguire and Ruairi Keating in City’s striker force for the 2026 campaign.