Former Coleraine defender Charles Dunne has opened the door for an Irish League return – revealing he’s “speaking to teams” about playing in the Premiership once again.

Dunne had spent the entirety of his career in England and Scotland prior to joining the Bannsiders in February 2025, enjoying spells at the likes of Wycombe Wanderers, Blackpool, Motherwell and St Mirren.

The 33-year-old quickly established a reputation as one of the Irish League’s top defenders, making 48 Premiership appearances for Coleraine, including 32 last term as Ruaidhri Higgins’ side finished just three points adrift of champions Larne.

Dunne’s last outing came in May’s 3-2 Irish Cup final triumph over Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park.

placeholder image — Charles Dunne (left) with the Irish Cup after Coleraine's final win over Dungannon Swifts. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

Coleraine chief Higgins revealed the Co Londonderry club remained in conversations to extend Dunne’s stay in Northern Ireland throughout the summer, but no deal was reached with the England-born defender keen to pursue opportunities abroad.

With a proposed move to India falling through, Dunne has entered talks with Irish League clubs over a possible return.

"I was waiting to go abroad but then something happened and that’s not going to happen now,” Dunne told the News Letter. “I just wanted to try something new, I haven't played abroad so that was one of my targets before I stopped playing.

"I’m speaking to teams in Northern Ireland so I could be coming back. I really enjoyed my time there and would definitely like to come back.

"Coleraine were good to me and I didn’t want to leave, they’ve good boys there and the club's going in the right direction.

"It was a good time. We did well winning the Irish Cup, we just missed out on the league, so that was annoying, but I enjoyed my time there.

"I enjoyed my time at Coleraine, I only left because I was trying to go abroad.”

Dunne joined Coleraine in the early stages of the club’s transition to full-time football under Dean Shiels and was one one of their first statement signings of a new era.

While initially taking a step into the unknown with a move to The Showgrounds, Dunne quickly grasped just how serious the club’s project was.

"I didn't really know what was going on at the start,” added Dunne. “I came because I needed to play games, but then once I got there, spoke to Henry (Ross) and all that type of stuff, I realised that they’re not playing around.

"You want to play for a team with ambition, and full-time is what I'm used to. I enjoyed myself and the club is going in the right direction for sure.”

Dunne kept himself sharp throughout the summer, training alongside fellow free agents at the PFA’s pre-season camps – a host of ex-Premier League stars also attended as they searched for a new club.

"There were pros from all different leagues, some that have played in the Premier League,” said Dunne. “All types of different players, different ages, everyone's at different stages in their career, but everyone's in the same boat there.

"I was training with a few boys in Northern Ireland as well, which was good and kept me ticking over...I want to get back to training now at a club because I love it.”