Derry City complete Winchester and Benson signings

Derry City have added further quality to their squad by completing the signings of Shrewsbury Town captain Carl Winchester and experienced midfielder Robbie Benson.

Derry manager Tiernan Lynch had already added Northern Ireland internationals Liam Boyce, Gavin Whyte and Shane Ferguson to the Candystripes’ squad for the forthcoming season, which begins with a trip to champions Shelbourne on 14 February.

Winchester has been playing regularly for Shrewsbury in League One, initially on loan before making his move permanent, having previously turned out for Sunderland.

The 31-year-old midfielder earned his solitary senior Northern Ireland cap in a 2-0 friendly defeat by Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in May 2011.

Benson won three League of Ireland titles during his first spell with Dundalk and also won the FAI Cup with St Pat’s in 2021.

The 32-year-old returned to Dundalk after that cup win but left after the 2024 season.

“I think if you ask any manager that question, they’re never happy, they always want more, we always want a bigger squad and different players,” Lynch said when asked if he is content with where Derry are at four weeks out from the new season.

“I just spent a week with the boys in a training camp last week. They’re an unbelievable bunch of boys. Their work rate has been second to none; they’re hungry, they want to improve.