LAST UPDATE | 20 Jan
DERRY CITY HAVE completed the signing of Robbie Benson for the 2025 season.
Experienced midfielder Benson joins the Candystripes following Dundalk’s relegation to the First Division.
Benson, 32, won three League of Ireland Premier Division titles during his first spell at Dundalk and lifted the FAI Cup with St Patrick’s Athletic in 2021.
The Athlone native has played over 300 times in the League of Ireland and has scored 79 goals from midfield in 439 senior career appearances across all competitions.
Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch was delighted to add the Dundalk great to his squad, describing Benson as “an unbelievable asset to this club”.
Lynch added that Benson “probably might not get the attention of others, but I think he’s one with a vast amount of experience in the League of Ireland, has league/cup medals already in his pocket and has played in major games.”
“He’s a great character, a lad that’s a real winner and he’s here for one reason: he wants to win and he sees Derry City as a good opportunity to do that,” Lynch added.
Elsewhere, St Patrick’s Athletic have announced that Jake Mulraney has committed his future to the club after signing a multi-year contract extension.
The 28-year-old joined the club ahead of the 2023 campaign and has made 77 appearances, netting 15 times, while also playing a key role in the 2023 FAI Cup final win over Bohemians.
Sligo Rovers have confirmed a new addition with full back Harvey Lintott who has joined on a half-season loan deal from EFL League One side Northampton Town.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United have confirmed that Ireland U21 defender Alex Murphy is joining Bolton Wanderers on loan for the rest of the season.
Murphy joined Newcastle from Galway United in the summer of 2022.
Bolton are ninth in the League One table at present and play twice this week, at home to Charlton Athletic tomorrow night at 7.45pm and then travel to face Huddersfield Town on Saturday at 12.30pm.
Seems like Derry are only singing players 30+, hardly the way to go for long term success
@Mayoforjam: Don’t think there’s many long-term contracts in the LOI, so it shouldn’t matter too much.
@Luke: That doesn’t mean players don’t stay at clubs long term though…. Derby do these multi (2 year) deals also if I’m not mistaken. Getting in a while host of players 30+ is looking for instant success, what if that fails is my real question. Can’t see them winning the league this year and the year after there just a year older!
@Mayoforjam: Derry*
@Mayoforjam: Bohemians do these multi year deals too.
Hedges to sign next and they’ll be smoking this season
Welcome aboard!, scored a great goal away to Legia Warzawa back under SK at Dundalk in the Champion’s League playoff