Cymru Premier: Former Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City prospects transfer to European club
Connah's Quay Nomads have signed two further players for their upcoming UEFA Conference League campaign. (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)
Cymru Premier side Connah’s Quay Nomads have continued to strengthen their squad ahead of their UEFA Conference League campaign with the additions of two players boasting academy experience at Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City.
The Nomads have been active in the transfer market after several departures this summer, as John Disney looks to bolster his squad following last season’s second-place finish, which secured a return to European competition.
The latest arrivals are Joe Simatupang Ferguson, who joins from Runcorn Linnets, and Shane Flynn, who arrives as a free agent after most recently playing for Kettering Town.
Former Leicester City defender arrives at Connah’s Quay
Left-back Shane Flynn has built a following of more than 15,000 on TikTok, where he documents his life experiences of being in a Premier League academy.
The 24-year-old most recently played for Kettering Town, making appearances between July and November 2025. Prior to that, he spent seven years with Leicester City, progressing through the club’s academy from 2017 to 2024. During his time with the Foxes, he made 87 appearances across their Under-18 and Under-23 sides, scoring seven goals and providing 13 assists.
Flynn’s senior experience has largely come in the League of Ireland, where he represented Waterford and Bray Wanderers. He also enjoyed a brief spell in the NIFL Premiership with Ballymena United.
Connah’s Quay’s newest signing also boasts international experience, having earned one cap for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s. He lined up alongside current Sheffield United defender Mark McGuinness, Charlton Athletic midfielder Conor Coventry and Başakşehir winger Festy Ebosele during his time with the national team.
Flynn has already been involved throughout the Nomads’ pre-season campaign, featuring in fixtures against Brickfield Rangers, The New Saints and Larne ahead of the new campaign.
“Delighted to be here and looking forward to the season ahead,” Flynn said in a brief post on social media following the announcement of his arrival.
Speaking about the signing, manager John Disney said: “I am delighted to have Shane commit to ourselves after having him over last season to train and have a good look at him.
“Shane has a wonderful background and is someone I have been aware of in Ireland for a number of years. He is, rightly so, extremely well regarded in Ireland and is another player who has represented his country at youth level, including the Under-21s, whilst at Leicester City.
“Shane has had some real bad fortune over the last few years and is someone who is dedicated to ensuring he gets a good run of games. With that, he will bring a great number of leadership qualities to the group through his experience across a number of leagues, while he also possesses a fantastic left foot and real quality both in and out of possession.
“Shane has been fantastic since coming over, and we are really excited to bring him to the club.”
Ex-Blackburn Rovers man heads to the Cymru Premier
Joe Simatupang Ferguson became the seventh addition of the summer as John Disney continued to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season. The defender arrives from Runcorn Linnets, a club that has become a familiar destination for several former Cymru Premier players.
Disney and other representatives from Connah’s Quay monitored Simatupang Ferguson on several occasions last season, with the 23-year-old going on to win Runcorn’s Player of the Year award. Primarily a right-back, he is capable of operating in a variety of positions and has already featured for the Nomads during pre-season before putting pen to paper on his move.
Simatupang Ferguson began his career at Blackburn Rovers, joining the club at the age of 11 before signing scholarship terms five years later. During his time at Ewood Park, he made 28 appearances across the club’s Under-18 and Under-23 sides.
He also gained senior experience during a loan spell with Witton Albion before leaving Blackburn to pursue a career in non-league football with Matlock Town, Marine, FC United of Manchester and, most recently, Runcorn Linnets.
Speaking to the official club website after completing the signing, Disney said: “Joe is a player that straight away catches everyone’s eye.
“I personally saw Joe play a number of years ago in the English system and from the moment you see him, you know his attributes will always stand him in good stead while allowing him to challenge any opponent he comes up against.
“As a club, we went to watch Joe a number of times last season at Runcorn, where he deservedly won Player of the Year. At times, he was simply unplayable in a number of different positions.
“Joe has come in as another player to add to our full-time model. He was at Blackburn Rovers for 10 years and you can see from that background that he has the capability to really kick on again. Joe was wanted by a number of clubs and we are delighted he chose ourselves. I know he is very excited to play a part in our upcoming European campaign and to be a key part of our season ahead.”
