Will Patching has completed his return to Derry City in a permanent switch.
The English midfielder makes the move from Dundalk on a two-year deal.
Patching spent the first half of this season on loan at the Brandywell club.
He was signed by Declan Devine and then thrived under Ruaidhri Higgins
But his loan deal expired in the summer and he returned to Dundalk where he played regularly and also in Europe.
But Higgins was determined to bring him back to ambitious Derry City next season.
And he said: “It’s brilliant for us to be able to bring a player of Will’s quality to the club on a permanent deal.”
“He struck up an immediate relationship with our supporters earlier in the year and they will be excited to see him back at the club.”
“We want to bring top players to Derry City and Will Patching is definitely in that category. I’m delighted to have him here.”
Speaking to Drive105.3FM, Patching said it was a "fairly easy" decision to return to Derry.
"The plan for the next season or two suited me," he said.
"I feel like it's the right time to come back."
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