Harkin joins Coleraine on loan until Christmas

Derry City midfielder Ciaron Harkin has joined his former club Coleraine on loan until Christmas.

Harkin joined the Bannsiders in 2017 after impressing at the Institute and helped the Showgrounds club win the Irish Cup in 2018 before leaving the club to return to his boyhood club Derry City.

The 28-year-old's time at the Brandywell club was severely hampered by two tears to his anterior cruciate ligament.

Harkins' loan is the latest signing at Coleraine following the signings of Cameron Stewart, Kirk McLaughlin, Kyle McClelland (loan), Max Little, Dylan Boyle and Rhyss Campbell.

With the club introducing a full-time model for the first time, former Dungannon head coach Dean Shiels took over as head coach and former manager Oran Kearney became sporting director.

Shiels described Harkin as “an incredibly gifted footballer who knows what it takes to win trophies and compete at a high level with this club.”

Harkin told Coleraine FC's website: “It is a great pleasure to be back in Coleraine. Some of my fondest football memories are playing in front of the loyal Coleraine fans and I am delighted to be able to pull on the shirt again.”

“Thanks to Dean and the rest of the team for believing in me and I can’t wait to show them what I can do.”

Coleraine will begin their season away at Dungannon Swifts on August 10th.