Goalkeeper Eugene Ferry signs for Coleraine

Goalkeeper Eugene Ferry has signed for Coleraine after being let go by new Derry City boss Roddy Collins.

Ferry, the number two keeper at the Brandywell behind Gerard Doherty, has signed an 18-month contract with the Irish Premiership strugglers.

Coleraine, one from bottom after losing eight matches in a row, hope to have Ferry available for Saturday's league match against basement side Ards.

The 25-year-old is not eligible for the New Year's Day game at Cliftonville.

Greg Shannon, Coleraine's goalkeeping coach, played in the Ballymena beat Coleraine 3-2 defeat by Ballymena United.

"Gregg has done well in the games he has been asked to play, as he proved against Ballymena, but he is at the club first and foremost as a coach," said Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney.

"Eugene's arrival will give us plenty of options.

"Since Gavin Cullen left we have been looking to bring in another keeper to provide competition for the position.

"Eugene has bags of experience and really he would be a number one if he was playing anywhere else."

Ferry follows David McDaid in making the move from Derry to Coleraine.

Former York City striker McDaid is expected to make his Irish League debut in the Ards match in Saturday.