Charles Dunne - back at Coleraine

Coleraine head coach Ruaidhri Higgins has welcomed the return of defender Charles Dunne to the club.

The Englishman departed in the summer after helping the Bannsiders lift the Irish Cup back in May.

The big defender had hoped to secure a move abroad but now has signed on at the Showgrounds again, until the end of the 2027/28 campaign.

“Charles was very open, honest and transparent throughout the summer about his ambition to go abroad and you can’t knock him for that,” said Bannsiders boss Higgins.

“We always wanted to get him to re-sign and when you look at our group now, we only have two fit centre-backs in Rob Slevin and Cameron Stewart, with Aidan Wilson having an injury.

“One of those is also a loan, so we needed to protect ourselves and make sure we don’t leave ourselves short in a key period of the season.

“To be able to add someone of Charles’ quality is great. We know him, we know what he’s about and what he brings to us on a daily basis.

“He will join us in training and his other work will be done with Junior Mendes (Head of Performance) until he’s ready to go.

“We haven’t put a time frame on it but he’s a really fit boy, he’s in fantastic condition and it won’t take him long to get up to speed.”

Dunne, who has amassed 55 appearances during his Coleraine career so far, outlined his ambition to win more trophies with the club.

He stated: “I know what the club is trying to achieve and where it’s looking to go.

“When the opportunity came up again, I snapped their hand off to return.

“The Irish Cup needs to just be the beginning for the club but the celebrations will be remembered for a long time.

“The boys have been flying recently and doing so well, so long may it continue.

“If the manager says he needs me tomorrow, then I’ll be there, but at the same time, I’ll be working with Junior to get back as soon as possible.”