Coleraine transfer window review

2024-25 League position: 5th

Manager: Ruaidhri Higgins

Next five fixtures: Crusaders (A) - 6 September; Portadown (A) - 13 September; Glentoran (H) - 20 September; Carrick Rangers (H) - 27 September; Bangor (A) - 4 October

There is huge excitement and expectation surrounding Coleraine this season as they did most of their business early and signed some big players from rival clubs.

Last year's Player of the Season Joel Cooper is the obvious one, but they have also added Kodi Lyons-Foster, who was named in the team of the season last year and Will Patching, who impressed at Derry City.

It hasn't quite clicked yet for Cooper and Patching in an attacking sense, although the former did net the winner against Larne on the opening day.

Lyons-Foster, meanwhile, has formed a solid partnership already with Charles Dunne, Lewis McGregor looks a real threat on the wing and Aidan Harris seems to have solved Coleraine's goalkeeping issues.

They added Zane Okoro from Lincoln on loan and midfielder Rowan McDonald late in the window and it will be interesting to see if Okoro can be the latest young striker to take the Irish Premiership by storm.

Time will tell whether Higgins can get his new look side to gel quickly enough, but they certainly have the squad to challenge for the league title, helped by their impressive summer business.

2025-26 signings so far: Kodi Lyons-Foster (Glentoran), Joel Cooper (Linfield), Stephen Fallon (Linfield), Will Patching (Carlisle United - loan), Conor Murray (Hamilton Academical), Lewis McGregor (Airdrieonians), Ryan Schofield (Morecambe), Adam Long (AFC Flyde), Harry Evans (Derby County - loan), Zane Okoro (Lincoln City - loan), Aidan Harris (Newcastle United - loan), Rowan McDonald

2025-26 departures so far: Kyle Spence (unattached), Paddy Burns (Glenavon), Kyle McClelland (end of loan), Rory Brown (unattached), Rhyss Campbell (Cliftonville), Corey Smith (Glenavon), Jack Scott (Carrick Rangers), Aidan Tejada (Institute - loan)