Cork City sign son of two time European Cup winner on season long loan 

Cork City have signed Freddie Anderson, son of two time European Cup winner Viv Anderson, on a season long loan from Stoke City.

The defender, who came through Manchester City’s academy, moves to Turner’s Cross after a spell with the USA’s U20 side at a training camp in Florida.

Freddie Anderson turned 18-years-old last October and he marked his first senior appearance with Stoke City by scoring a late winner against Carsile United in the Carabao Cup at Brunton Park.

The defender spent the summer with Stoke’s first team, he even made an appearance against Cork City during a friendly with the Rebel Army at Turner’s Cross.

“I’m really happy to be given such a great opportunity to play for such a great and big club like Cork City,” he said.

City boss Tim Clancy said: “Freddie is a very impressive young defender, who we obviously got a close look at in last summer’s friendly. 

"It’s another deal that we have been working on for a while, so to finally get it done is great, and it’s brilliant that we have him for the full season.” 

The defender started out with the Manchester City academy before moving to the Stoke City during the summer of 2023.

Freddie Anderson went on to play for the Potters’ U21s on 14 occasions in during the 2024-25 season, he also wore the captain’s armband during a victory over Woking in the FA Youth Cup.

The defender’s work was recognised in the United States, and it led to a call-up to the country’s U20s for a training camp in West Palm Beach earlier this month.

Anderson’s team trained with Mauricio Pochettino's senior men’s national team and they played MLS club Nashville SC in a friendly.

The defender declares for the United States through his mother, and his father made history by being the first black player to represent England.

Viv Anderson had a storied career that saw spells with Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

The high point for the defender was playing against Hamburg in the 1980 European Cup final at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.

Viv Anderson helped Brian Clough’s side retain the trophy, and that was one of many trophies picked up by the full-back at the City Ground.

The defender finished his career by kickstarting Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure at Old Trafford by helping the Red Devils reach the 1990 FA Cup final, where they defeated Crystal Palace in a replay.

Freddie Anderson is the next generation, and the USA U20 international is expected to be one of at least three defenders going to Cork City before the first game of the season against Galway United on February 14th at Turner’s Cross.

Meanwhile, Cork City academy graduate Ricardo Dinanga has signed a two year deal with EFL League One side Shrewsbury Town after a spell with AFC Telford United.

The forward, who began life with College Corinthians, moves to New Meadow after scoring 12 goals in 28 appearances this season.

Dinanga joins a Shrewsbury outfit that is fighting to beat the top in League One after a start to the season that has produced just five wins.

The attacker said that it is a ‘privilege’ to play at a club after starting his career in the Football League with Coventry City.

“I’m delighted – it is a privilege to be here and I’m ready to get going,” he told the club’s media team.

“There was interest at the start of the season and I got a phone call on Monday, and here we are today.

“I started with Cork City back in Ireland and from there I went to Coventry and from Telford I went to here,” he added.

Dinanga made sure to draw attention to his start to the season in front of goal while announcing his arrival to Shrewsbury Town’s supporters.

“It’s been a good first half of the season,” he explained.

“I’m playing men’s football obviously. I’m just getting minutes in and playing week in week out. It has been good.

“My favourite position is on the left but I can play left, right, down the middle, and wherever the gaffer needs me to play and I’ll try and give my best.

“Cutting in and crossing – but mainly I am cutting in and trying to get an assist mainly, or scoring goals,” he added.

Dinanga first made his name known with College Corinthians in the Cork Schoolboys League and his breakthrough at the Rebel Army came at the tail end of the 2019 season under Neale Fenn.

The forward’s first appearance was during a 3-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, and his best moment in the green and white shirt was during a bout with Longford Town in the FAI Cup at Turner’s Cross in August 2020.

Dinanga dribbled into the area and got around two defenders before unleashing a shot from a tight angle that hit the roof of the net at the 120th minute.

The forward also got the third goal during a 3-0 victory over Sligo Rovers at Turner’s Cross that season.

That earned the forward a move to Coventry City, where he played for the Sky Blues academy.

Dinanga never made a first team appearance at the CBS Arena and he departed in search of first team minutes, which led to a spell with AFC Teleford in the lower leagues of England.