Charles Dunne has returned to Coleraine FC, signing a contract that runs until the end of the 2027/28 season. The 33-year-old defender rejoins the club where he made 55 appearances and helped win the Irish Cup last May.
Dunne left the Showgrounds in the summer to pursue opportunities abroad but has been without a club since. He said he did not hesitate to accept the offer to come back. "When the opportunity came up again, I snapped their hand off to return," Dunne stated. He also praised the team's current form, adding that "the boys have been flying recently and doing so well, so long may it continue."
Head coach Ruaidhri Higgins welcomed the reinforcement, which addresses a critical shortage in central defence. The club currently has only two fully fit centre-backs in Rob Slevin and Cameron Stewart, with loanee Aidan Wilson sidelined through injury. Higgins explained Dunne's summer departure, saying, "Charles was very open, honest and transparent throughout the summer about his ambition to go abroad and you can’t knock him for that."
Coleraine sit top of the Premiership standings with 34 points from 13 games, holding a two-point lead over Linfield. Their recent form shows four consecutive wins, including a 5-0 victory over Crusaders last Friday, before a single defeat. This strong position makes defensive depth vital for the title push. Dunne will begin training immediately with Head of Performance Junior Mendes to regain match fitness.
The defender's return provides key cover as the team prepares for a significant home fixture. Coleraine host fourth-placed Glentoran at the Showgrounds this Saturday, 30 October. Dunne has expressed his ambition to win more trophies with the club, aiming to build on last season's Irish Cup success. His experience from previous spells with Motherwell and St Mirren is seen as a valuable asset for the squad's younger players.
This story first appeared at google.com
