Bannsiders land second January recruit as Cliftonville midfielder Ronan Doherty signs on at The Showgrounds

The 29-year-old, who already agreed a pre-contract with the Bannsiders for the summer, will now join six months earlier after signing for an undisclosed fee from Cliftonville.

The Carndonagh native started his Irish League career at Institute before moving to the Reds in 2019 under the management of Paddy McLaughlin.

Doherty’s time at Solitude would yield success in all the domestic cup competitions after lifting the Irish Cup, League Cup and County Antrim Shield during his five-and-a-half years with the club.

Speaking to the club’s official website after landing his second January recruit, Coleraine head coach Dean Shiels said: “I’m delighted to get Ronan on board,” he said.

“I think he’s a top midfielder in this league, he controls the rhythm of games and he gets teams playing.

“He conducts the possession for teams and he very much suits the profile of a midfield player we want at this club.

“He’s won an Irish Cup, well-proven in the league and he’s got excellent delivery from set-pieces.

“He’s an all-round top midfielder in the league and we are delighted to have him.

“He fits the profile of what we are trying to build here. Having lost Ciaron Harkin and Mackenzie Carse, we are more than pleased to bring in someone of Ronan’s quality and we are looking forward to working with him.”

Doherty, who has signed a multi-year contract on the Ballycastle Road, will wear the number 27 shirt.

In a statement, Cliftonville said they let Doherty depart after Coleraine’s valuation for the player was met.