Ex-Liverpool defender who made Champions League squad let go by Championship club at 24 but immediately finds new side
Former LIVERPOOL defender Conor Masterson takes another step up in the league – five years after his teenage career high at Anfield.
The centre-back was in Liverpool’s squad for a 3-0 Champions League quarter-final win over Manchester City in 2018.
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But after joining QPR the following year, the Irishman has now been sacked by the Championship club and taken on immediately by League Two Gillingham.
That doesn’t come as a huge surprise, however, given that the 24-year-old has spent the second half of the last two seasons on loan at the Gills.
Previously, QPR also sent him temporarily to lower divisions with Swindon Town and Cambridge United.
In all, the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has made just 21 appearances for Rangers, scoring one goal.
But he impressed in both stints at Gillingham.
And after he completed his move to Kent, Masterson told that Club website: “I am happy to have made it.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Gillingham over the last two loan spells so I can’t wait to come here on a permanent basis.”
Gills’ director of football Kenny Jackett is also hoping Masterson maintains his old form at Priestfield Stadium.
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The former Watford and Wolves manager said: “He did very well this year on loan when we were promoted back at the end of the season.”
“Everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him in the 2023/24 season.”
On his 16th birthday in 2014, Masterson joined Liverpool FC from his hometown club Lucan United Liverpool.
Two years later he was a substitute in the third FA Cup draw in Exeter.
After being regularly promoted to the Reds Under-23 squad, he was a substitute in two prestigious senior games in April 2018.
He watched as Liverpool defeated Pep Guardiola’s City 3-0 at Anfield to secure a 5-1 aggregate win in the Champions League round of 16.
And three days later, Masterson was on the bench in the 0-0 Premier League draw at Everton.
Now, three notches down with the Gils, he’s not only looking for stability, but also an offer of promotion.
That should be easy – if he keeps his form from the end of the season.
He said of Gillingham’s media team: “I’m playing my best football of my career at Priestfield.”
“I really didn’t want this season to end, as a team and as a group we’ve enjoyed everything since January.”
“We won 10 of our 12 home games, that was huge for us.
“We’re going into the next season where we want to push for promotion. That is the goal of this club and I think we should do that too.”