Soccer

Kenny Shiels makes his first signings for Derry City

Kenny Shiels has made Harry Monaghan and Jordan Allan his first two signings at Derry City  
Kenny Shiels has made Harry Monaghan and Jordan Allan his first two signings at Derry City   Kenny Shiels has made Harry Monaghan and Jordan Allan his first two signings at Derry City  

DERRY CITY manager Kenny Shiels has made Harry Monaghan and Jordan Allan his first new signings.

Shiels also confirmed he hopes to add Danish defender Niclas Vemmelund to his side before pre-season training starts in early January. The ex-Kilmarnock boss, who unveiled his new additions at the club’s new training base, the Foyle Arena, believes striker Allan and midfielder Monaghan will improve his squad.

“They are both players who I think will lend themselves to the club and they have the drive we want around the place,” he said.

“They’re young, hungry and enthusiastic with really good character. We have to be very selective when we’re bringing in players so we have a strong, positive dynamic within the group of players and these two will add to that.”

Monaghan (22) and Allan (20) have both signed one-year deals with City and can’t wait to get started: “The minute myself and Jordan got here, Kenny [Shiels] picked us up and showed us the facilitates,” said Monaghan.

“The facilitates at the Foyle Arena are absolutely brilliant and how the club is run, the organisation has been first class and that, along with the club’s goals for the coming season, were massive reasons why I signed, it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I’m very well aware of Derry City because of my time in Scotland; I have played for Hibs Youth sides against Derry City Youth teams and they were very good, so I know we have a lot of good young players.

“I’m a hungry young player, who is here to do well and I want the Derry City fans to know that. Yes, I want to enjoy the experience, but I want to bring success to this club.”

As for Allan, he is happy to have netted in that recent friendly at the Showgrounds: “It was a great start for me scoring in that game and I’m here to score goals,” he said.

“Since myself and Harry have been here, it has been nothing but brilliant. I’ve been to Dundee United which is a top flight Scottish team and I haven’t seen anything quite like what Derry has to offer here. The Foyle Arena is a great training base for us and the facility is second to none. All the lads have made us more than welcome and Kenny has been great to us.

“To be honest, that’s why myself and Harry wanted to get our deals sorted before Christmas, to show Kenny how much we wanted to come to Derry City and now that everything is sorted, we can’t wait for pre-season to start in a few weeks’ time. I can only do the best I can and hopefully that brings a lot of success to this club.”