Derry City have announced the signings of Liam Boyce and Gavin Whyte who arrive at the Brandywell on multi-year deals. 

Both players arrive in Derry following successful periods in both the English and Scottish pyramids.

They will be welcome additions as Tiernan Lynch aims to make an impact during his first season in charge of the Candystripes.

Derry City Welcome Liam Boyce

33-year-old Boyce joins City on a two-year deal from Scottish Premiership side Hearts of Midlothian. A club he had been with for five seasons following his signing from Burton Albion in 2019.

Boyce is a full Northern Ireland international having 28 caps for the green and white army, scoring twice.

In recent seasons Boyce has struggled for game time in Edinburgh. His last season of regular game time was during 2021/22 where he played 41 times in all competitions completing 21 goal contributions.

His game time sharply decreased following a recurrence of a cruciate ligament injury during the 22/23 season which ended his campaign early.

In December 2023, he suffered a hamstring injury which once again ended his season following 22 games in all competitions.

Derry City will be a fresh start for the former Ross County player, however, the Foyleside club play on an artificial surface which is not forgiving to injury prone players.

Derry boss Tiernan Lynch spoke about signing Boyce;

“It’s great to get another International footballer into the club and we’re delighted to have him at the Brandywell.

“You only have to look at Liam’s record in England and Scotland over the last ten years, to see the quality that he brings. He’s a proven goal scorer and a great addition for us”.

The Brandywell Welcomes Gavin Whyte

In addition to Boyce and Shane Ferguson, Gavin Whyte is the third Northern Ireland international to sign for Derry City following the 2024 season.

Most comfortable on the right-wing, the 28-year-old has signed on a three-year deal following the end of his time at EFL Championship club Portsmouth during 2024.

Capped 30 times for Northern Ireland scoring five goals, Whyte moved to Oxford United from NIFL Premiership club Crusaders during 2018.

He enjoyed his most fruitful campaigns with ‘The U’s’ across two spells in 2018/19 making 10 goal contributions and making 11 in 2021/22 both in League One.

Whyte was not the most prolific player across his spells with Oxford United, Cardiff City, Hull City and Portsmouth, but was a reliable utility player as he made 193 appearances during his time across all clubs.

Whyte was rumoured to have multiple suitors for his signature across Ireland, one of which was free-spending Coleraine.

The allure of playing under a title winning manager like Tiernan Lynch is a real asset for Derry City.

In comments to club media Lynch was ‘delighted’ to have secured Whyte;

“The plans that we put in front of him about what we want to do and where we want to go probably excited him the most.

“He has played at the highest level and is the type of attacking player that gets people excited, which is what playing at the Brandywell is all about.

“Gavin gives you that in abundance and our supporters will no doubt be looking forward to seeing him at the club.”