Derry City are planning to sign a FOURTH Northern Ireland international since Tiernan Lynch took charge with Carl Winchester the latest new recruit expected to arrive at the Brandywell.
Shrewsbury Town captain Winchester is set to follow Shane Ferguson, Gavin Whyte and Liam Boyce to the League of Ireland club with Lynch intent on building a squad he feels can win silverware in his first season at the helm.
Winchester (31) is an influential figure at the League One side, but it is believed is keen to come home for family reasons and Derry are poised to land the midfielder who has played for Oldham, Cheltenham, Forest Green Rovers, Sunderland and Shrewsbury since moving across the water from Linfield in 2010.
The following year the Belfast man won his first and only cap coming off the bench against Wales.
Winchester has had memorable moments during his career in England from featuring for Oldham in their shock FA Cup victory over Liverpool in 2013 to helping Sunderland win promotion to the Championship in 2022, playing many matches in an unfamiliar right back role, and more recently being made skipper at Shrewsbury.
It’s a clear policy from former Larne boss Lynch to bring in experience.
Ex-Newcastle, Rangers, Millwall and Rotherham left sided player Shane Ferguson (33), who played at Euro 2016 for Northern Ireland, arrived in December as a free agent.
And on Saturday Derry confirmed the double capture of internationals Boyce and Whyte.
Former Cliftonville star Boyce (33) signed a two-year contract following his departure from Scottish Premiership club Hearts while ex-Crusaders hero Whyte (28), who was being chased by a host of clubs across the island, joined on a three year deal.
Derry begin their 2025 League of Ireland campaign away to champions Shelbourne on February 14.