Derry City pull off 'big coup' by signing striker Boyce

Northern Ireland world Liam Boyce has joined League of Ireland broadside Derry City from Hearts connected a two-year deal.

The 33-year-old striker's presence is simply a awesome boost for Tiernan Lynch, who originates his first play successful complaint of the Candystripes connected 14 February.

Boyce had been pinch Hearts since January 2020, scoring 36 goals successful 120 games arsenic he helped the Edinburgh nine gain promotion backmost to the Scottish Premiership successful 2021.

He besides played successful the 2020 and 2022 Scottish Cup finals - and scored successful the erstwhile arsenic Hearts mislaid to Celtic - but his advancement successful caller seasons has been stalled by knee and hamstring injuries.

The Belfast-born guardant began his profession astatine Cliftonville, wherever he won 2 Irish Premiership titles and was named Ulster Footballer of the Year successful 2013.

Boyce joined Ross County successful 2014 and ended the 2016-17 arsenic the Scottish Premiership's starring scorer pinch 23 goals.

He besides had a three-year spell pinch Burton Albion earlier joining Hearts.

Boyce collapsed into the Northern Ireland squad successful 2011 but earned the past of his 28 caps successful 2021.

Lynch said that bringing successful Boyce was a "serious coup" for the club.

"You only person to look astatine Liam's grounds successful England and Scotland complete the past 10 years to spot the value that he brings. He's a proven goalscorer and a awesome summation for us," Lynch told the club's website.

He is the 2nd Northern Ireland world to subordinate the Brandywell nine successful caller weeks aft Shane Ferguson, who signed a one-year deal successful December.

Under Lynch, who near Larne to switch Ruaidhri Higgins arsenic leader successful November, Derry person besides recruited goalkeeper Arlo Doherty while Patrick McEleney, Will Patching, Daniel Kelly and Tadhg Ryan person left.