Benfica striker Jaden Ume is one of seven new faces called up by Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson for the upcoming training camp and friendly against Granada in Spain on Saturday 16 May.
The 18-year-old has been released by the Portuguese club to participate in the training camp, which is his first step into the national team.
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With the English Football League (EFL) regular season coming to an end, Hallgrimsson’s 21-man squad is mainly made up of players playing in the Championship or First Division, while players participating in the EFL play-offs or from the Premier League, Scottish Premiership, League of Ireland or other major leagues will face Qatar and Canada later this month.
Umeh’s release ensures he is eligible for this training camp and will join more newcomers, including goalkeeper Killian Cahill, defenders Elan Kassin, Tayo Adaramora and Joel Bagan, midfielder Jack Moylan and forward Edomo Emaku.
Dara O’Shea, Jayson Molumby, Adam Idah and Jason Knight offer a wealth of experience, while Kasey McAteer, Tom Cannon and Mark McGuinness also return.
Republic of Ireland will face Grenada at the Estadio Nuevo Condomina in Murcia on 16 May at 17:00 BST.
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Who is Jaden Ume?
The 18-year-old from Cork Mahon began his career with Cork City in the League of Ireland and, despite being just 15, made his debut in November 2023, becoming the club’s youngest player.
He set another record as Cork City’s youngest goalscorer at 16 years and 14 days against Wexford FC, and went on to make 15 appearances for the club before joining Portuguese club Benfica in July 2025, where he is currently a member of the U23 squad.
Umeh has represented the Republic of Ireland at U15, U16 and U17 level and was named in the squad for the 2025 U17 World Cup in Qatar. His performances earned him a call up to the U21 squad and he has now been called up to the senior team for the first time.
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republic of ireland
goalkeeper: Max O’Leary (West Bromwich Albion), Josh Kiely (Luton Town), Killian Cahill (Leyton Orient)
Defender: Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Elan Cousin (Blackburn Rovers – loan), James Abankwa (Watford), Mark McGuinness (Sheffield United), Tayo Adaramora (Sheffield Wednesday – loan), Joel Bagan (Cardiff City).
Midfield: Jason Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Connor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Andrew Moran (Preston North End).
forward: Adam Ida (Swansea City), Tom Cannon (Sheffield United), Chidozi Ogbene (Sheffield United – loan), Casey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Milenik Alli (Portsmouth), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City), Edomo Emmahu (Oxford United), Jaden Ume (Benfica).
