Shelbourne have bolstered their defensive options with the loan signing of Zeno Ibsen Rossi from Cambridge United.
The 25-year-old centre-back joins the League of Ireland Premier Division side until the end of June, arriving with experience in England and Scotland.
The defender, who stands at 6 ft 4 in, is contracted to Cambridge United but will spend the first half of the 2026 season at Shelbourne as they look to strengthen at the back.
Born in Streatham, Ibsen Rossi came through the academies of Brentford and Southampton before joining AFC Bournemouth in 2017. He signed his first professional contract on the south coast and went on to make seven senior appearances for the Cherries, including four in the Championship during the 2021-22 campaign.
Loan spells north of the border followed. He featured 14 times in the Scottish Premiership for Kilmarnock during the 2020-21 season, scoring once across all competitions, before adding further top-flight experience with Dundee in 2022.
A permanent move to Cambridge United was completed in July 2022, with Ibsen Rossi going on to make 37 league appearances across League One and League Two. While he is yet to score in league competition for the U’s, he has accumulated 91 senior appearances in total across all competitions during his career to date.
Defender excited for switch
Speaking after completing the switch, Ibsen Rossi said:
“I’m really excited to sign for Shelbourne. I know that it is a huge club with a clear direction it is going in, and it felt like the right move for me.
“I’m looking forward to joining up with the team, meeting the players, staff and fans, and contributing as much as I can this season.”
Head coach Joey O’Brien welcomed the addition, highlighting both his physical attributes and his experience at a good level in Britain.
“He has built up a decent amount of senior experience at a good level in England and Scotland over the past few seasons.
“He is a big presence physically, strong in the air and comfortable on the ball, which is important for how we want to play.
“Zeno is at a good age, hungry to prove himself and ready for the next step. We think he will add real competition to the group and be a strong addition to our defensive options.”
For Shelbourne, the move represents a calculated addition rather than a gamble. Ibsen Rossi arrives with Championship exposure, Scottish Premiership minutes and solid EFL experience, yet still at an age where development and progression remain realistic targets. If he can translate that pedigree into consistency at Tolka Park, this could prove to be one of the more astute pieces of business completed before the window closed.
From a Cambridge perspective, the move is also telling. With the U’s battling for stability in League Two and defensive places contested, a loan suggests Ibsen Rossi was not guaranteed consistent minutes in the run-in. For a player who has experienced Championship football and the Scottish top flight, regular starts are essential at this stage of his career.
