Derry City sign Scottish midfielder Grant Gillespie while youngster Jack Malone signs new deal

Derry City have signed midfielder Grant Gillespie on a short-term deal until the end of the season after the Scot parted company with Raith Rovers.

28-year-old Gillespie joined Raith from Dundee United last summer after previously spending nine years with Hamilton Academical.

The Bellshill native will provide the Candystripes with further competition in a stacked midfield that includes Greg Sloggett, Gerardo Bruna, Barry McNamee and Ciaron Harkin.

“Grant has been on the radar for a couple of weeks,” said City boss Declan Devine.

“He is a player we know well and has played over 250/260 games at the top level in Scotland. He is a player we feel will enhance the group.”

“He is a midfield player with tremendous ability and an appetite to hunt the ball back for you.”

Devine has also awarded Jack Malone, who scored his first goal for the club in last week’s 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers, his first professional contract.

The homegrown midfielder has signed a two-year deal as the Candystripes’ storied underage system continues to reap dividends on Foyleside.

“Jack is very much a player in our mind, he can come on and grab a game by the scruff of its neck,” said Devine.

“He has signed for two years and he is a player I have known since a young boy. He has not only demonstrated in the first team, but in the 19s and the reserve team that he has stood out.

“It is a pathway. Oran McLaughlin is flying and Ronan McKinley was doing very well until he picked up an injury.”