Blow for League of Ireland hopefuls Derry City as Carlisle United confirm signing of midfielder

Carlisle United have confirmed the signing of midfielder Will Patching from Derry City on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The deal will be finalised once the January transfer window opens, bringing Patching’s three-season spell at the Ryan McBride Brandywell to an end.

The 26-year-old had been in the League of Ireland since the start of the 2020 season, when he arrived at Dundalk from Notts County.

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After a successful loan spell at Derry during the 2021 campaign, he completed a permanent switch in time for the start of the 2022 season.

Carlisle head coach Mike Williamson hailed the signing of Patching, saying: “Will is a really exciting signing, he brings experience and a technical quality that will improve us.

“He brings a skillset that will get fans excited, we just need to manage him over these next few weeks and almost get another pre-season into him to make sure he’s ready to go.

“He’s been finished his season in Ireland for over a month, so we’ll need to do some work with him to get him back up to speed.

“We’ve managed to beat off competition from a number of other clubs to get him in with us so we’re delighted.”

Patching spent 14 years at Manchester City - from the age of six to 20 - before moving to Notts County in 2018.

A former England underage international, he made 150 appearances in Irish football.

Carlisle sporting director Rob Clarkson added: “There was a lot of interest in Will both in England and over in Ireland, so we are really pleased he has chosen to join Carlisle United.

“He is a very talented midfield player and one I am sure the fans will enjoy watching when he officially joins us in January.”

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