Lowry signs for City

The midfielder, who has signed a one and half year deal, is expected to train with his new team-mates on Sunday.

Lowry also believes his five years at Linfield, where he won three Irish League and three Irish Cup medals, will help him during his time at the Brandywell.

“Derry City has always been associated with being a great side in all competitions,” he stated.

“For as long as I can remember they have been in and around the top four clubs in the League of Ireland.

“Coming from Linfield I’m well used to challenging for honours and having that pressure of having to win every game no matter who you are playing, so I’m sure that’s the exact same at Derry City.

“Every game I play in and every cup competition I’m in, we will be hoping to win it.”

The ex-Institute man also conceded that he felt his dream move to the Brandywell wasn’t going to happen but the minute Peter Hutton took over from Roddy Collins things moved very quickly.

“It has been a long, drawn out process but I’m delighted everything is now finally done,” he added

“Linfield’s season finished at the end of April and since then there has been a managerial change with Warren Feeney coming in and he offered me a new deal.

“But I had initially spoken to Roddy Collins and to be honest it was sort of up in the air and I didn’t think it was going to happen, but straight away when Peter Hutton got the reins, he really made me feel that Derry City wanted me.

“As a Limavady man, who is close to Derry City and knows a good bit about the club then I absolutely jumped at the chance whenever Peter phoned me.”

The goalscoring midfielder concedes that switching from a winter league with only a few months off before he can play for his new club in July probably isn’t the perfect situation, but one that he’s already looking forward too.

“From what Peter’s (Hutton) telling me about the club and the direction he wants to take the club is really exciting and I think we have a great group of young players with a great blend of experience.

“Obviously it’s new waters for me as I have never played in the Airtricity League but it’s one that I’m looking forward to.

“I’m well up for the challenge and yes the standard is probably higher but as I said it’s a challenge I’m going to relish.

“I spoke to a few people before I signed for Derry about the league and they couldn’t speak highly enough about it, how well it is run and how professional things are and they also had a similar story in terms of the Derry City set-up.

“Yes, it’s not ideal me coming out of a winter league and starting straight away in the summer league, but I’m fit enough and I’m young enough and can’t wait to get started.”

Lowry also remembers the night when the Candystripes defeated the Blues 3-1 at a packed Brandywell.

“I remember playing at the Brandywell in the game when Derry City beat Linfield 3-1 and the atmosphere that night was absolutely incredible and any time I have been up watching Derry, the fans have

been fantastic.

“I have a lot of mates and relatives who are Derry supporters and they always speak highly about the atmosphere at the Brandywell.

“Hopefully now we can get a few results behind us and start climbing up the table and that will hopefully mean the crowds will get bigger and bigger.”

The 24-year-old was quick to thank his old club, where he concedes he still has a lot of friends at Windsor Park.

“I have really enjoyed my time at Linfield and I was made very welcome by everyone, from supporters, to players, to coaching staff and committee members. In fact, I have made friends for life from my time at Linfield.

“I couldn’t thank everyone highly enough at Linfield for how great they were to me and I’m sure they’ll understand that an opportunity like this doesn’t come along very often.

“Full-time football for a club who is just right up the road from me was something I just couldn’t turn down.”