DERRY CITY HAVE today announced the signing for former Republic of Ireland U21 goalkeeper Eric Grimes on a one-year deal.
Following a short spell with his hometown club Cork City, Grimes will join the Candystripes ahead of the start of the 2017 season next month. Grimes will aim to dislodge veteran stopper Ger Doherty as Derry’s first-choice goalkeeper.
“Eric is at a good age and has a lot of potential. He’s 21 and I want to bring my young players through at the same time,” Derry City manager Kenny Shiels told The Derry Journal.
“I was disappointed to see Shaun [Patton] go [to Sligo Rovers] but hopefully Eric will be able to replace him and compete with Ger [Doherty] for the number one spot.”
Having played his schoolboy football with Ringmahon Rangers, Grimes joined the academy at Leeds United before signing his first professional contract in 2013. After being unable to make the breakthrough into the first team at Elland Road, he was released last summer.
Grimes returned home back in July to join Cork City but didn’t make any appearances for John Caulfield’s side. He’s the second goalkeeper to leave the Leesiders in the off-season, with Matthew Connor also departing for Waterford.
