Derry City's first summer signing sees forward Darren McCauley return on 18-month deal

Derry City’s first signing of the summer transfer window sees forward Darren McCauley return to his hometown club on an 18-month contract.

The 27-year-old was in talks with the Candystripes during the winter as he weighed up his future with Coleraine before signing a short-term deal with Scottish Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

McCauley, who began his career with Derry City before going on to have spells with Celtic, Coleraine and Institute, represented the Republic of Ireland up to under-19 level.

He has worked under City boss Declan Devine previously in his first spell at the club, making his debut in 2009 when Devine was assistant manager to Stephen Kenny.

“It’s great. I’m delighted, I really am,” McCauley told the Derry City media team.

“It’s an exciting time for me. It’s a fresh start and I cannot wait to get started, get to know the boys and get to know the surroundings a bit better and get stuck into it.

“Growing up as a Derry City fan, a supporter coming to the Brandywell and having come through the academy, I know the club really. In saying that, there is a wee change happening.

“We have a new stadium, new background staff, who the majority are from Derry which means they know what it means to play for the club and want the club to do well.”

McCauley was part of the Coleraine squad that won the Irish Cup and finished second in the NIFL Premiership in 2017-18, scoring 17 goals for Oran Kearney’s side.

He became unsettled following Kearney’s departure and was transfer-listed in the winter before signing a deal with Caley Thistle.