FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED academy player John Cofie is one of five new players who will line out for Derry City next season.
The Candystripes today confirmed the signing of the Ghanaian-born English striker – who in 2007 became the youngest ever million-pound player – as well as central defenders Gavin Peers and Armin Aganovic, attacking midfielder David Hopkirk, and box-to-box midfielder Conor Agnew.
Cofie, who began his career with Burnley, was signed by Manchester United as a 14-year-old a decade ago, eventually joining their academy in 2009.
Having failed to break into United’s first team, loan spells at Royal Antwerp, Sheffield United and Notts County followed before he was released and joined Barnsley on a free transfer in 2013. Still just 24, Cofie joins Derry having departed Stalybridge Celtic of England’s Northern Premier League.
Centre-back Peers is a Dubliner who formerly played for St Pats and Sligo Rovers, while his prospective defensive partner, Aganovic, hails from Sweden and was targeted by Cork City while playing for Galway United two years ago.
Hopkirk, a Scottish professional, began his career in Celtic’s academy before making his SPL debut for Hamilton at the age of just 17.Over the past four seasons he’s made 69 appearances for Dunfermline, netting on nine occasions.
Agnew is from South Carolina, and was on trial at Derry prior to the end of last season.
“Gavin Peers brings experience and organisation he knows the league and he is something we haven’t got – his experience and organisational skills will lend himself to our needs,” said Derry boss Kenny Shiels.
“Aganovic played for Galway the year before last, I tried to sign him and Cork tried to sign him, he’s 23 and a very good player with experience and he is ideal for what we are about.
“[Hopkirk] is an attacking midfielder who I tried to sign when I was at Morton. He’s a player I have always been interested in. He is signed and ready to come in and play in January.”
On Cofie, Shiels described his move to Derry as “a good opportunity for him and for me to resurrect his career,” while describing American Agnew as “a dynamic midfield player who offers a different type of play to what we currently have.”
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