Ruaidhri Higgins believes star signing 'will fit in perfectly' after making Coleraine return
Ruaidhri Higgins believes star signing Ben Doherty “will fit in perfectly” at Coleraine after returning to the Bannsiders from Derry City.
The 29-year-old spent two-and-a-half years with Coleraine between 2019 and 2021, making 86 appearances across all competitions, before signing for Larne.
Doherty played 59 times in the Premiership for the Inver Reds, netting nine goals, and won a Co Antrim Shield
The former Northern Ireland U21 international sealed a return to Derry City under Higgins in 2023 and was named in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year.
Injuries limited Doherty’s involvement with the Candystripes in recent seasons – he made 11 league appearances last term and 11 during the current campaign for Tiernan Lynch’s men – and is now returning to the Irish League.
It’s another high-profile arrival at Coleraine, who won the Irish Cup alongside sealing a second-placed Premiership finish last season, and boss Higgins believes Doherty is entering the prime of his career.
“I think Ben will fit in perfectly in how we want to play," said Higgins. “I was fortunate to manage and coach Ben for a couple of years at Derry City and I have to say he was fantastic for me.
“He brings that real running power and energy, a real drive and goals and assists.
“Ben’s in a period of his career where he will have an incredible determination to be successful.
“He’s 29, he’s in his prime and he’s arriving at a club who are ambitious and a team I feel that’s on the rise.”
Former Glenavon loanee Doherty had announced his Derry City exit in a statement posted on social media, saying he’s excited to “get back to playing with a smile on my face” at The Showgrounds.
"After three years the time has come for me to leave Derry City,” he said. “As a local boy growing up supporting the club being given the chance to return to the club three-and-a half-years ago, I couldn't have imagined how it would go.
"From European runs, team of the year and playing in front of a packed Brandywell every week, I'll be forever grateful.
"After working so hard to come back from injury, the last six months without playing regularly haven't been easy.
“I want to thank the Derry fans for their support over the last three years, especially through the tough times both personally and on the pitch.
"Derry fans expect so much and the players want to deliver so badly for them and I hope sometime in the future that can be the case.
“I also want to thank all the players that I have played with in the last three years, some unbelievable memories made and I wish them all the best going forward.
“Thank you also to the chairman and the board for being so co-operative in allowing me to pursue the next chapter in my career. Looking forward to my next challenge and get back to training and playing with a smile on my face.”