The 18-year-old defender arrives from Championship side Cardiff City where he spent the majority of his junior and youth career, having joined the Bluebirds aged 8.
Over the last few years, the full-back has featured predominantly for the club’s under-18 side, while also breaking into the under-21 squad under Darren Purse.
Having been released from the club this summer, the youngster has been subject to a lot of interest but is looking forward to his first taste of senior football at Penydarren Park this season.
Merthyr manager Paul Michael told his club’s website: “We believe Joe Keeping is one of the best young players to be leaving the South Wales professional clubs this summer and I’m delighted to have been able to bring him in.
“He’s come out after a scholarship but I believe he’s got a higher ceiling than many players coming out after a year or two pro, he was a leader at Cardiff’s under-18s and played a fair few times at under-21 level, we can already see those leadership qualities beginning to come through in training.
“He’s versatile and can play full back, wing back and I believe he can play a little higher in his first steps in senior football. Joe is athletic, very good in one v one duels and a very good passer of the ball. He scored a lovely goal in our in-house practice match last week, he’ll settle & get to know the lads over the coming weeks and I’m looking forward to a big impact from Joe this season”.
(Merthyr Town FC)
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