Derry complete Benson, Winchester and Thomas signings
Derry City have added further quality to their squad by completing the signings of Shrewsbury Town captain Carl Winchester, experienced midfielder Robbie Benson and Dom Thomas from Queen's Park.
Derry manager Tiernan Lynch had already added Northern Ireland internationals Liam Boyce, Gavin Whyte and Shane Ferguson to the Candystripes' squad for the forthcoming season, which begins with a trip to champions Shelbourne on 14 February.
Winchester has been playing regularly for Shrewsbury in League One, initially on loan before making his move permanent, having previously turned out for Sunderland.
The 31-year-old midfielder earned his solitary senior Northern Ireland cap in a 2-0 friendly defeat by Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in May 2011.
"Once I heard of the interest, I knew after speaking with the gaffer, there was only one place I wanted to play football when I came back home and that was here," said Winchester, who also had spells with Oldham, Cheltenham and Forest Green Rovers during his time in England.
'We're in a good place'
Benson won three League of Ireland titles during his first spell with Dundalk and also won the FAI Cup with St Pat's in 2021.
The 32-year-old returned to Dundalk after that cup win but left after the 2024 season.
"I think if you ask any manager that question, they're never happy, they always want more, we always want a bigger squad and different players," Lynch said when asked if he is content with where Derry are at four weeks out from the new season.
"I just spent a week with the boys in a training camp last week. They're an unbelievable bunch of boys. Their work rate has been second to none; they're hungry, they want to improve.
"There's lots of things we have to do. We know this isn't an overnight fix but I think we're in a good place."
Scot arrives at Brandywell
Thomas joins from Scottish Championship side Queen's Park on a two-year deal.
The 28-year-old former Scotland U21s mifielder scored seven goals in 23 games with Queen's Park this season.
The Glaswegian came up through the youth ranks of Celtic and Motherwell has also played for Kilmarnock, Dunfermline, Dumbarton and Queen of the South.
"Speaking to the manager, [the club] came across very professional and ambitious and speaking to players that have played here and played for Tiernan, they spoke so highly of the club and him," Thomas told the club website.
"You're always learning but I'm in my peak years and hopefully I can show my best stuff to the Derry fans in this new challenge. We were halfway through our season so I'm feeling fit and good and hopefully that can be an advantage to the team"
"Everything fit into place for me, with the club on and off the pitch are going in the right direction and I want to be there to push the club forward and give my best for the club."
