Ruaidhri Higgins welcomes 'ideal' signing Ben Doherty back to the Brandywell

Ruaidhri Higgins has described Ben Doherty as the ‘ideal’ signing after bringing him back to Derry City on a three-year deal.

Doherty becomes the third new signing at the club in the close season, and increases the strong core of hometown players returning to the Brandywell in recent seasons.

“As I’ve said numerous times, when you have good players from this area, they should be playing for Derry and Ben definitely fits into that category,” Higgins said.

“He joins the likes of Patrick, Michael, Shane and Ciaran Harkin who were here when they were younger, then left but came back, probably all feeling like they have unfinished business. Ben is 25 which is a brilliant age and his progression over the last three years has been clear for everyone to see.

“One thing I can guarantee is that he’s coming back here much more rounded; he’s a smashing player and he’s had a few great years and I thin fulltime at Larne has been extremely beneficial. When he was doing his medical you could see the physical condition that he’s in, he’s in outstanding condition and he’s a credit to himself. His father was like that, he looked after himself, and Ben comes here with a few brilliant seasons behind him and we’re all delighted.”

Son of City legend and former captain Eamon, Ben returns for a second spell with the Candystripes and Higgins is excited at the experience and versatility the new signing brings with him.

“He has had real consistency behind him over the last few years,” he explained. “He can play in numerous positions and I think he makes the balance of our squad better. I think he can play as a really adventurous left-back, if we needed and I think he could play as a left wing back if we ever played with a back three, and I think he can play on either side as a winger if we had a front three. He gives great versatility so I think it’s exciting. He has been playing as a left wing back for Larne this year and I’ve seen him twice live since the season finished and he’s been extremely impressive and I think he fits into what we’re trying to do here and the way we want to play.”

Meanwhile, Higgins has paid tribute to outgoing midfielder Joe Thomson, who leaves the club after two and a half years, 79 appearances and 10 goals.

“He’s a good player and he’s a good lad,” he stated. “He’s an outstanding professional who trained every day as if it was his last. Every game he gave absolutely everything. Joe is one of those lads who is desperate to play football, 90 minutes every single week. We’ve had honest conversations, probably from the mid-season break onwards because he probably never played as much in the second half of the season as he had in the previous year with myself.

“I don’t think Joe could, in my opinion, do it for another month, never mind a season. Joe is one of those players who wants to play; he’s a great lad and I have so much respect for him but I think for all parties it probably makes sense and Larne have got themselves a good player.”