COLERAINE FC is thrilled to reveal the signing of Will Patching on a season-long loan…
The midfielder will spend the 2025/26 season at The Showgrounds after an agreement with his parent club Carlisle United.
The 26-year-old started his career at Manchester City from the age of six and gained his first senior experience at Notts County.
After a year at the Magpies, Patching moved to Ireland and signed for Dundalk ahead of the 2020 campaign, before joining Derry City on loan in February 2021.
A permanent spell at the Candystripes – under Ruaidhri Higgins’ management – would then follow as Patching excelled at the Brandywell, playing a starring role as Derry City won the 2022 FAI Cup.
Patching’s eye-catching performances – which saw him named in the PFAI Team of the Season in three consecutive seasons (2021, 2022 and 2023) – drew the attention of clubs across UK and Ireland, but it was Carlisle who won the race for his services in January this year.
On the international stage, Patching played for England U17s in the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile.
Speaking about linking-up with Patching once again, Coleraine boss Higgins said: “Will is an extremely talented player who I had the pleasure of working with at Dundalk for a period and then for three years as Derry City manager.
“He scored over 30 goals and provided over 30 assists during his time at Derry, so his output from midfield is outstanding.
“He is a fantastic footballer and I know the last 9 to 12 months hasn’t gone the way he would have liked personally.
“So, I know he’ll have a real hunger to show people what he’s capable of, and when he’s happy, he is an absolute joy to watch.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have him here and I’m really looking forward to working with him again.”