Rory Patterson contract cancelled by Derry City

Rory Patterson scored 61 goals in 92 games for the club

Former Northern Ireland striker Rory Patterson has announced that his Derry City contract has been cancelled by mutual consent.

Last month, Derry City made Patterson available for transfer as part of cost-cutting measures at the Brandywell.

Speaking on Twitter, Patterson said that he felt that it was in the club's best interests to "end things".

"I didn't want to be going into a new pre-season not knowing where I'd finish it," added the striker.

"I can now sit back in peace and decide for myself what to do next."

Patterson scored an impressive 61 goals in 92 Derry appearances.

City's defeat in the FAI Cup final in November meant that they missed out on a European place after a hugely disappointing League campaign.

Derry's struggles in 2014 - which led to Roddy Collins losing the Brandywell job after a brief spell in charge - meant reduced home attendances.

Patterson made his Northern Ireland debut while playing for Irish League club Coleraine in February 2010 before spending a season with English club Plymouth Argyle.

He went on to make four further international appearances but has not featured since the game against Scotland in November 2010.

Defender Shane McEleney was also made available for transfer last month while Barry Molloy has joined Crusaders.