2025 Arrivals and Departures

[Ancient Rush]

Michael Dike reserve goalkeeper for much of last season leaves Treaty United for Brighton Academy (https://www.instagram.com/p/DLVGgEbovUy/?hl=en)

[brendy_éire]

Daily Record reporting that Derry are after Alex Bannon, a centre half from Airdrie.
That'd be two of their players we've taken, if it happens.
The lad is only 21 though. Give him another decade and we might be interested.

[RealJohn91]

Can Derry only sign Northern Ireland Internationals and Scottish journeymen? For all the resources available, their recruitment is very rigid.

[Another Bohemia]

Can Derry only sign Northern Ireland Internationals and Scottish journeymen? For all the resources available, their recruitment is very rigid.

Ruaidhri Higgins had mentioned before that brexit limited the players he could bring in so it could be down to that

[outspoken]

Can Derry only sign Northern Ireland Internationals and Scottish journeymen? For all the resources available, their recruitment is very rigid.

It's actually incredible

[brendy_éire]

Can Derry only sign Northern Ireland Internationals and Scottish journeymen? For all the resources available, their recruitment is very rigid.

To explain it in part, since 2019, the UK has made it exceedingly difficult for smaller clubs to sign non-CTA players.
Properly hampering their football teams in a attempt to reduce immigration figures.
It's badly affected rugby and cricket too, mind.

RTÉ did a bit on it last year.
https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2024/0823/1466274-derry-city-transfers/

[joey B]

To explain it in part, since 2019, the UK has made it exceedingly difficult for smaller clubs to sign non-CTA players.
Properly hampering their football teams in a attempt to reduce immigration figures.
It's badly affected rugby and cricket too, mind.

RTÉ did a bit on it last year.
https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2024/0823/1466274-derry-city-transfers/

Is it still 6 years since you’ve signed a player outside Ireland and the UK ?

[Nesta99]

To explain it in part, since 2019, the UK has made it exceedingly difficult for smaller clubs to sign non-CTA players.
Properly hampering their football teams in a attempt to reduce immigration figures.
It's badly affected rugby and cricket too, mind.

RTÉ did a bit on it last year.
https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2024/0823/1466274-derry-city-transfers/

Is there a workaround where players reside in Donegal, register with the FAI, play with Derry, try UEFA exemptions and work the CTA? I know mainland EU people that live here and work in NI so whats the difference really. If the work permit system isnt abused and Derry have a budget to sign players that are proven rather than hoping to unearth an gem out of 10 who just 'need to fall in love with the game again', couldnt Stormont play the Peace Process/soft border card? I suppose in the long run it means a focus on youth development which is good for NI football and Derry if they hold on to players. There also must be players across these isles that are good enough so proper scouting systems surely ccould be afforded in the short and medium term and maybe pay for itself. Maybe its all been done. Next time sign Shamroc Rovers league winning side rather than raid Dundalk - when those Rovers players is over 35 of course.

[Another Bohemia]

Is there a workaround where players reside in Donegal, register with the FAI, play with Derry, try UEFA exemptions and work the CTA? I know mainland EU people that live here and work in NI so whats the difference really.

Knowing the league of Ireland luck Derry would end up being charged with human trafficking if they tried that in spite of it being common enough in the border areas.

[sbgawa]

Is there a workaround where players reside in Donegal, register with the FAI, play with Derry, try UEFA exemptions and work the CTA? .

The aul eyes are going i thought that read "play with Derry and work for the CIA"
Proper Steaknife stuff indeed

[Nesta99]

CIA? Sure most had already signed for their feeder club MI5!

[nr637]

Cork City sign Charlie Lutz from Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season, he is part of their U21 squad and plays in a forward position.

[2 Year Contract]

Cork City sign Charlie Lutz from Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season, he is part of their U21 squad and plays in a forward position.
It’s not on loan, it’s permanent. He was released by Villa

[nr637]

It’s not on loan, it’s permanent. He was released by Villa

Dowtcha Boy, I suppose it all depends on what media had the story m8, either way another signing to help the cause in Cork!

[2 Year Contract]

Cork willing to meet their loan keeper Troost's €75,000 release clause but he doesn’t want to make the move permanent himself. Boo Dermot Usher not willing to spend any money on the team etc etc etc ;)

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41659319.html

[Buckett]

A more cynical man than myself might say that Usher knew well Troost didn't want to stay but made an offer to show City fans that he has money

[El-Pietro]

Cork willing to meet their loan keeper Troost's €75,000 release clause but he doesn’t want to make the move permanent himself. Boo Dermot Usher not willing to spend any money on the team etc etc etc ;)

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41659319.html

I dont think the complaints in general are specifc to the playing budget. More that we are being asked to pay the highest prices in the league for the worst team in the league, on course for our third relegation in 5 seasons, two under Usher. We've won two games this season and kept no clean sheets.

I've generally defended the team this year because the injuries have been really bad and no team would meet expectations with the injuries we had. But I would also say building a team around Sean Maguire and Greg Bolger and expecting them to stay fit is risky. The injuries to Couto, Dijksteel and Keating among others were harder to predict/plan around.

Also starting the season with no Premier Division experience at center back was shortsighted. On th other hand, we've had a bunch of players come in from outside the league who have performed better than expected. Cuoto before his injury, Mbeng up until the last few weeks. Troost, Daniels , and Kitt Nelson who extended his stay today, all have been really good additions.

When FORAS sold to Usher we were told we had to sell because otherwise wed be struggling at the bottom of the table. We sold, we're struggling at the bottom of the table, and we're being charged an arm and a leg for the privilege.

Its not just the 25 euro for adults. A juvenile (13-17 years old) ticket is 18 euro, and u13 is 10. So a dad with two kids, a 13 and 15 year old could be paying 53 euro before any food, drink or travel costs. It was 30 euro (or 33 for some games) for the same tickets two years ago in the Premier Division. Thats a 60% increase in two seasons, and 100% increase for U13s.

[sidewayspasser]

That's spot on I would say.

[Elfman]

When FORAS sold to Usher we were told we had to sell because otherwise wed be struggling at the bottom of the table. We sold, we're struggling at the bottom of the table, and we're being charged an arm and a leg for the privilege.

Yep, this part in particular sums it up nicely I feel.

[Nesta99]

FORAS was about preserving the future of the club, not about not struggling at the bottom of the league. The club was sold to let someone else buy success? New owner is maximising income while willing to pay 75k for a player, improving a squad and has done injures or not. There isnt a fan rep on the board so an error there too. If there had been no injuries and the season saw Cork sitting in the top 2 would attendances be better?

[El-Pietro]

FORAS was about preserving the future of the club, not about not struggling at the bottom of the league. The club was sold to let someone else buy success? New owner is maximising income while willing to pay 75k for a player, improving a squad and has done injures or not. There isnt a fan rep on the board so an error there too. If there had been no injuries and the season saw Cork sitting in the top 2 would attendances be better?

Of course there would
But with the squad we built that was never going to happen.

[2 Year Contract]

Bohs apparently in pole position to sign Douglas James Taylor from Walsall. That’d be another blow to Drogheda

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/douglas-james-taylor-on-verge-of-move-to-bohs-after-strikers-loan-deal-with-drogheda-expires/a2016703236.html

[Nesta99]

Of course there would
But with the squad we built that was never going to happen.

The squad is a football things that hapens, see Derry and St Pats this year. If more people would go with the ticket increases then its kind of undermines the argument that they are unjust or that a downturn is due to cost rather than football. Its frustrating to be paying a premium but not getting a premium product on the pitch but its not quite that prices went up but there was penny pinching on the squad - a business model in the uk like Mike Ashley's Newcastle ownership whre money was made on average sides but good enough for promotion when needed. Ive seen it implied at least, that Usher wasnt spending even with income growth, but it seems more that there was a budget available to be competitive for Europe, so the ticket prices became a stick to beat his ownership and FORAS reccomendations on the club's sale. Maybe it was a managers performance that was the real issue.

[MoydowMonty]

Torre, Leal and Babatunde all gone from Athlone. That's 8 departures from them recently plus the manager. However O'Connor did mysteriously return to them a few weeks after leaving ,in case that wasn't mentioned here.
Nonetheless, Athlone look to be in bother once again

[oriel]

Bohs apparently in pole position to sign Douglas James Taylor from Walsall. That’d be another blow to Drogheda

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/douglas-james-taylor-on-verge-of-move-to-bohs-after-strikers-loan-deal-with-drogheda-expires/a2016703236.html

Fair to say they had better June's in their history, and last nights 0-3 won't have helped the mood. The Europe KO was always bound to have had a significant effect on their budget.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Drogheda United can confirm that Douglas James-Taylor has departed the club following the conclusion of his loan spell.


The club had made a significant offer to James-Taylor to make the move to the club permanent. However, he has decided to pursue an opportunity elsewhere

James-Taylor departs having scored 15 goals in 35 games. We thank Douglas for his contribution to the club, particularly last season with his role in our FAI Cup win and maintaining our Premier Division status.

[2 Year Contract]

James McManus has signed for Sligo on loan. Good move for all parties that one

[Kiki Balboa]

Drogheda United can confirm that Douglas James-Taylor has departed the club following the conclusion of his loan spell.


The club had made a significant offer to James-Taylor to make the move to the club permanent. However, he has decided to pursue an opportunity elsewhere

James-Taylor departs having scored 15 goals in 35 games. We thank Douglas for his contribution to the club, particularly last season with his role in our FAI Cup win and maintaining our Premier Division status.

Love the hint of bitterness.

Drogheda are in a tough situation. As Duff found out, screaming at lads only gets results for so long. Its a real test for Doherty, and he has to find something else.

Heard they had a falling out with Ratoath Harps, where they were training, and are scrambling to find a new place to train.

For all the massive success they had for the last year, trying to take the next step is asking a lot of questions of them.

DJT hasn't been as good as he was when he first came into the team. But he is clone of a yojng Pat Hoban, and I am sure he could rack up the goals if he got going somewhere else.

Not always sure of his attitude though. Can be a bit passive.

[pineapple stu]

Where's the bitterness? The fact that the guy turned down an improved offer? Think that's just reasonable comms to Drogheda fans myself.

[Another Bohemia]

Where's the bitterness? The fact that the guy turned down an improved offer? Think that's just reasonable comms to Drogheda fans myself.

It's the significant offer part. Leave that out and the tone changes. The significant offer part plays into Doherty's proclamation that they have some of the lowest resources in the league (Sugar daddy covering a 6 figure legal bil and covering euro losses flies in the face of that) and paints the player as only picking the biggest offer and nothing else was considered.

[pineapple stu]

I don't know if I'd call that bitter though. And I've no problems acknowledging that Drogheda are almost certainly playing a bit of the béal bocht alright.

[Bohtastic]

James McManus on loan to Sligo. Pretty good deal for all parties- hopefully he's playing ever minute and returns to us like Cian Byrne.
Think Byrne will be staring at CB with Cornwall. Flores back to LB.

[Another Bohemia]

James McManus on loan to Sligo. Pretty good deal for all parties- hopefully he's playing ever minute and returns to us like Cian Byrne.
Think Byrne will be staring at CB with Cornwall. Flores back to LB.

Agreed on both counts. Bucko getting minutes ahead of McManus is giving a whiff of farewell tour for Bucko and I don't think that's going to change any time soon so better to let McManus get minutes under his belt. Then Kavanagh just has too many mistakes you wouldn't expect an u20s player to make and Lacey is just on the treatment table all season. The place is there for Byrne to win. In saying that I though Morahan played very well at CB vs Rovers but I want to see him in midfield again with Devoy and Tierney or Clarke

[Jolly Red Giant]

Apparently James Clarke is heading to Grimsby - he's out of contract in November so maybe a case of Bohs getting whatever they can for him.

[RealJohn91]

I'd rather we got nothing for him at the end of the season than let him go now. Have to think it'd only be a nominal fee now anyway.

[Another Bohemia]

I'd rather we got nothing for him at the end of the season than let him go now. Have to think it'd only be a nominal fee now anyway.

Define nominal fee because 20-30 Grand probably covers wages for 1 or 2 additions in the summer window and frees up Clarkes wages as well.

[RealJohn91]

Define nominal fee because 20-30 Grand probably covers wages for 1 or 2 additions in the summer window and frees up Clarkes wages as well.
10k or less. Clarke is one of our best players at the moment, getting Europe with him and the rewards that will bring is better than a short term little boost of funds.

[sessylU]

Paul McMullan leaves Derry. I always liked him. Always put a shift in, even if there wasn't always a great deal of end product.

https://www.derrynow.com/news/derry-sport/1837955/winger-mcmullan-departs-derry-city.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawLPbgVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHo5wpJr6JAs0E 1IrD0sgGQy2h9ifGJMA9Yr6Xv94MxQ6Q5V8S7vm9OXjFHz5_ae m_32Hj9gvmfeMEfQ-OatAmag

[sbgawa]

Define nominal fee because 20-30 Grand probably covers wages for 1 or 2 additions in the summer window and frees up Clarkes wages as well.


Fair comment but the problem is you are letting a provan asset go to bring in a couple that may or may not work out.
That being said if the one of the replacements was for a provan LOI player like DJT who could play as an out an out 9 as opposed to Clarke in a false 9 it would make sense.

[Bohtastic]

Apparently James Clarke is heading to Grimsby - he's out of contract in November so maybe a case of Bohs getting whatever they can for him.

Would hate for Clarke to go- imo he's the reson why Devoy and Tierney have been so influential recently. Don't think it's a coincidence that our upturn in form occurred when Clarke got more starts.

[MoydowMonty]

Declan McDaid following JR Wilson to Dundalk it seems. Kilduff also said they won't be signing McGlade. I'd have been shocked if that one had happened

[outspoken]

Declan McDaid following JR Wilson to Dundalk it seems. Kilduff also said they won't be signing McGlade. I'd have been shocked if that one had happened

Shocked they've signed McDaid, he was carrying some gut at Athlone this season

[Demesne Lad]

Norwich City seem to have lined up several summer signings for their development squad, including Derry City's teenager, Glenn McCourt (nephew of ex-Celtic winger Paddy McCourt).

www.pinkun.com/sport/norwich-city today

[Shinkicker]

Apparently Bogs have an announcement coming at 11.00am tomorrow. I hope it's a striker who can convert 20% of chances so we can win 4-0

[Nesta99]

Where's the bitterness? The fact that the guy turned down an improved offer? Think that's just reasonable comms to Drogheda fans myself.

Its what isnt said also, added to how they have commented on things in the past. They should be thanking Bohs copiously for signing any of their people!!

[Another Bohemia]

10k or less. Clarke is one of our best players at the moment, getting Europe with him and the rewards that will bring is better than a short term little boost of funds.

Agree Clarke is one of our best players. I don't think he's so significant that he makes or breaks Europe for us. We've created chances all season and need someone to convert them, Clarke is a lot of things and my favourite current Bohs player but he's not a prolific goal scorer which we need. I also think you get more than 10k for him. That release clause that Dyer had was shocking and I'd be a bit disappointed in it if I was a Galway fan. There wasn't even a provision that a team in the league couldn't activate it, hence Derry's interest so I don't think it can be used as a basis for any other fees. I think realistic for Clarke is about between 15 and 25 Grand right now.

[oriel]

Shocked they've signed McDaid, he was carrying some gut at Athlone this season

He's been put through the paces on training pre signing I heard, glad we didn't go for McGlade though.

[outspoken]

Yeah I heard he's already got himself back into shape but he's never been consistent.

[Shinkicker]

Bohs have signed Douglas James Taylor. That's a good signing, that was at 9.00am and yet they advertised something for today at 11.00am. Is there more???

[2 Year Contract]

Bohs have signed Douglas James Taylor. That's a good signing, that was at 9.00am and yet they advertised something for today at 11.00am. Is there more???
It’s Bohs X Oasis merchandise apparently. And no I’m not even joking :D