Derry City have signed three Northern Ireland internationals ahead of the new League of Ireland season.
Striker Liam Boyce and winger Gavin Whyte (pictured) are the latest recruits at the Brandywell after winger Shane Ferguson put pen to paper for the North-West club last month.
Boyce has switched to the Candystripes from Scottish Premiership side Hearts on a two-year deal, while Whyte has agreed a three-year contract after leaving Championship side Portsmouth by mutual consent in August.
Ferguson, who signed a one-year deal with his hometown club last month, was also a free agent after leaving Rotherham United last summer following their relegation to League One.
New Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch said all three players would be great additions to the League of Ireland Premier Division outfit.
Boyce, who began his career with Cliftonville and had spells with Ross County and Burton Albion before joining Hearts in 2021, first played for Northern Ireland in 2011. The 33-year-old forward won the last of his 28 caps in 2021.
Former Crusaders, Oxford United and Cardiff City winger Whyte has 30 caps for Northern Ireland. The 28-year-old scored on his debut against Israel in September 2018 (3–0 home win) and has scored four more times for his country since. His last appearance was against Finland at home in March 2023.
Former Newcastle United and Millwall winger Ferguson (33) has been capped 57 times by Northern Ireland and made his last appearance in a 2-0 win over San Marino in May 2023.
Lynch said Boyce was “a proven goalscorer and a great addition for us”, while he pointed out Whyte was “the type of attacking player that gets people excited”.
And Ferguson told the Derry City website: "I'm delighted to be coming home. Once I had spoken with Tiernan and heard his plans for the club, it was a simple decision.”
