Huddersfield Town

The 32 year-old has agreed a two year deal with a further year option in the Club’s favour to become Mark Robins’ first summer signing ahead of the 2014/15 Championship campaign.

Dublin-born Murphy adds to Town’s growing list of full internationals courtesy of two caps for the Republic of Ireland. His excellent form at Coventry City this season earned him a recall by Martin O’Neill for the friendly against Italy in May 2014, where he featured on the bench.

Murphy was with West Bromwich Albion between 2002 and 2005. The ‘keeper was given his chance following Russell Hoult’s sending off against Liverpool during the 2002/03 season and Murphy made the most of it, saving a Michael Owen penalty. It was during his time with the Albion that Murphy stepped up to the international stage; the ‘keeper was summoned to face Turkey and replaced Town’s Head of Goalkeeping Nick Colgan during the 2-2 draw.

In 2006, the 6’2” stopper moved to League 1 Scunthorpe and was an integral part of the Iron team that gained automatic promotion to the Championship in 2007. He was voted in the League 1 Team of the Season that year and also won the Golden Glove award for keeping the most clean sheets in the league. Despite Scunthorpe’s relegation from the Championship in 2008, Murphy kept 10 clean sheets from 45 Championship starts. 

Murphy was again voted into the League 1 2008/09 Team of the Year as Scunthorpe reached the Play-Off Final, where they defeated Millwall 3-2 at Wembley. The stopper featured a further 77 times for the Iron in all competitions during their two seasons in the Championship, during which he gained his second cap for Ireland as a second half substitute for Keiren Westwood against Algeria.

However, he left the Iron having made over 200 appearances following their relegation to League 1 in 2011, before signing a three year contract with then Championship side Coventry City. 

During Mark Robins’ time at City as manager, Murphy started every match and kept seven clean sheets as Coventry moved rapidly up the division to become promotion challengers.

In total, Joe made 156 appearances for the Sky Blues before opting to join the Terriers at the end of his contract.

Since making his debut for Tranmere Rovers in 1998, Joe has made two appearances in the Premier League, 205 in the Championship and 242 in League 1, a total of 449.

Huddersfield Town Manager Mark Robins said:

“I am delighted that Joe has chosen to join Huddersfield Town; he brings added Championship experience and is a great personality on and off the pitch. We have previously stated that we desired to add some experience to the group.

“Along with Alex (Smithies), we again have two goalkeepers of high quality following the departure of Ian Bennett, who made a brilliant contribution to the Club during his four years.

“Joe has spent a large part of his career in the Championship and Premier League and joins us from a club where he was first choice and we feel that he will provide real competition for the starting goalkeeper position, which is something we are sure both he and Alex will relish.

“Having worked with him before at Coventry City I know what he offers and what he will bring to the Club on the field and in the dressing room. He is also somebody that the Club monitored for some time.”