Colligan signs for Coleraine

The 23-year-old, who has just returned from nine months in Australia, has put pen to paper on a two year contract with the Bannsiders.

Colligan, who made his name with Ballymena United, can’t play until next season but he is already counting down the days.

“I can’t wait to be honest,” he told Times Sport on Thursday night.

“I came back home about four weeks ago and a number of clubs have spoke to me. But once I spoke with Oran it was an easy decision to make.

“This club is going in the right direction and I want to be a part of it.”

Manager Kearney was delighted to secure Colligan’s services.

“We’ve known all season that we would require another left back this summer,” he said.

“When we signed Johnny Black last August, he was up front about his plans to go travelling and this has allowed us to plan ahead.

“Lee is at the other end of the spectrum from Johnny, having spent most of the last year travelling and he’s now keen to get back into football.

“I remember playing against him a number of times towards the end of my playing career and he is a player who has always impressed me any time I have seen him.

“Lee was very keen to resume his career with Coleraine and I feel he is a good fit in terms of the sort of player we are looking for. He is still young, with his best years ahead of him, but he already has a lot of experience at this level.

“He won’t be available to play this season, but will train with us for the rest of the campaign which will help him to bed in ahead of pre-season.”

*Full interview in next week’s Coleraine Times