Latest news with #RuaidhriHiggins
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Coleraine confirm Cooper capture on multi-year deal
Coleraine have announced the signing of Irish Premiership title winner Joel Cooper on a "multi-year deal".Cooper's contract at Linfield expired at the end of the season and the 29-year-old had been heavily linked with a move to the Showgrounds midway through the campaign. However, it did not hamper the attacker's form as he scored 19 goals to help Linfield win the Irish Premiership for the first time in three seasons. His performances throughout the season saw him win the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Player of the Year, Ulster Footballer of the Year, Northern Ireland Football League Player of the Year and PFA NI Player of the Year. Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins he was excited to start working with Cooper, who he described as a "winner"."He's won over and over again and knows what it takes," said former Derry City boss Higgins, who replaced Dean Shiels as manager in May."He's an extremely talented footballer that anyone would want to work with."I'm excited to start working with him and the conversations I've had with Joel, he's a very driven individual and he will come here looking to achieve and take this club to the next level."Cooper started his career at Ballyclare Comrades and made the move to top flight side Glenavon, where he won the Irish Cup in made the switch to David Healy's Linfield in 2018 and helped the Blues win three Irish Premiership titles in a row as well as an Irish form saw him earn a move to League One side Oxford United, but he returned to the Irish Premiership with Linfield on an initial loan spell in 2022 before a permanent deal was struck between the played a key role in two League Cup triumphs and as the Blues won the Irish Premiership title this season. "If you want to achieve and get other players to follow – you need winners in your changing room and I think he will lead with his actions," added Higgins."What he achieved last season was incredible and I think he will be absolutely brilliant for this football club."Cooper is the latest high-profile addition to Coleraine, who have signed Kodi Lyons-Foster from Glentoran and Stephen Fallon from Linfield.
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Midfielder Fallon joins Coleraine from Linfield
Midfielder Stephen Fallon has joined Coleraine after leaving Irish Premiership champions Linfield upon the expiration of his 28-year-old won six league titles, two Irish Cups, three League Cups and a County Antrim Shield during his nine years with the Blues after arriving from Swansea has been a bit-part player in recent seasons due to a number of injury becomes the Bannsiders' third summer addition after the arrival of Kodi Lyons-Foster from Glentoran and Joel Cooper from the Blues."He's had a difficult few years with injury but having spoken to the medical staff here, they have been isolated injuries and we feel we can get on top of that and get him right," Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins told the club's website."Once we get him right then we have a hell of a player on our hands. He's a talented midfield player and one of the best in the country."He knows how to win, he has been a really key player in some of Linfield's title wins and he brings that respect straight away when he walks into the changing room."
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Coleraine's 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 League position: 5thPlayer of the season: Matthew Shevlin2024-25 Review: The Bannsiders' first season as a full-time outfit was always going to be one of adjustment, although few could have predicted the campaign would feature quite so much upheaval on the Ballycastle Road. The change in status brought about a change of playing staff, and there were inconsistent performances in the early stages of the year, although Matthew Shevlin remained a reliable source of games unbeaten before the split saw them secure a top-six spot, but that was not enough to keep manager Dean Shiels in his the time of the play-offs, former Derry City boss Ruaidhri Higgins was in place to preside over a final defeat by Cliftonville that cost his new side European football next year. The expected arrival of Joel Cooper from Linfield has already seen Henry Ross, the executive chairman and majority shareholder at the club, make a huge transfer splash, while the signing of Kodi Lyons-Foster from Glentoran should significantly bolster their else they recruit before the 2025-26 season will surely be one of the stories of the Irish Premiership summer. 2025-26 signings so far: Kodi Lyons-Foster (Glentoran), Joel Cooper (Glentoran)2025-26 departures so far: Kyle Spence (unattached), Paddy Burns (unattached), Kyle McClelland (end of loan)
Belfast Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
I can't wait to play for Ruaidhri Higgins, says Coleraine-bound Joel Cooper after Ulster Footballer of the Year delight
Coleraine-bound star Joel Cooper has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of playing under new Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins — and the winger will go to The Showgrounds with an extra spring in his step after being named the Ulster Footballer of the Year following a spectacular season with Linfield.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Lyons-Foster swaps Glentoran for Coleraine
Coleraine will sign Kodi Lyons-Foster from Irish Premiership rivals Glentoran at the conclusion of his contract at the Oval next month. Lyons-Foster impressed during his one season with Glentoran having previously spent time in the academy structures at Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa. The 28-year-old defender has signed a "multi-year" deal with the Bannsiders who finished fifth in the league this season before replacing manager Dean Shiels with Ruaidhri Higgins and losing the European play-off final to Cliftonville. "After speaking to Ruaidhri, I was excited by the plans for the future and the ambition around the club," Lyons-Foster told Coleraine's club website. "I've really enjoyed my time in the league and I'm grateful to Glentoran, but this felt like the right move for me."I've heard brilliant things about the fans and the atmosphere at The Showgrounds, and when I played there this season it really stood out. I'm excited about what's ahead and buzzing to get started."Coleraine have already signed Irish Premiership player of the season Joel Cooper from Linfield for next season after "significant investment" from new majority owner Henry Ross. For Glentoran, it is the second prominent departure in three days after it was confirmed on Friday that Fuad Sule will also sign elsewhere upon the conclusion of his Sule and Lyons-Foster were voted onto the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Team of the Year for last season.
