Derry City have brought in defender Jamie Stott from crisis club Morecambe.
The 27-year old has joined the Brandywell club on an 18-month deal, offering a new option as a left-sided centre-back for manager Tiernan Lynch.
Stott was voted Players' Player of the Season at Morecambe last year as the Shrimpers were relegated from the Football League.
They are currently battling for their very survival as a entity due to financial and ownership issues, opening the door for Derry to sign Stott.
He counts Oldham Athletic, Stockport and Halifax Town among his previous sides.
City boss Lynch is pleased with his latest addition: "Jamie comes here with plenty of experience in the EFL and National League and will strengthen our defensive options ahead of a very busy few months.
"He’s a big, strong lad and seems happy with the ball at his feet.
"He just arrived this morning and took part in a full training session today and we’re really looking forward to working with him."
Dipo Akinyemi, Adam Frizzell and Brandon Fleming have already moved to Derry this window, as well as loan signing Alex Bannon.
Midfielder Ciaron Harkin is the latest player to join Sligo Rovers, departing the Brandywell.
Harkin signs with Rovers until the end of the 2025 season, with the club retaining an option on the player for 2026.
The 29-year-old is the sixth signing of the summer transfer window, with John Russell already adding Patrick McClean, Seb Quirk, Ryan O'Kane, James McManus and Sean Stewart this month.
The Derry native began his senior career with the Candystripes and has had his career blighted by injuries in recent years.
He was a regular for City from 2019-2021 but later suffered devastating cruciate ligament ruptures which kept him sidelined for almost two years.
Harkin made a return to action last year and went out on loan to Coleraine at the end of the year to get game time under his belt.
Lynch gave Harkin six appearances this campaign, but he struggled to break into the side, leading to Bit O' Red boss John Russell making a move.
Russell said: "It's a brilliant signing of a player I've always admired. He's a midfielder who can do a bit of everything. He's tenacious, good on the ball, legs, energy, he's coming to us at the stage of his career for a fresh challenge.
"He's a Derry boy, he's had his injuries in the past but he's over those now. He's hungry to play, sitting on the bench is not easy for any player but especially at his age, he's in the prime of his career, at 29."
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
