Fulham winger follows Ipswich Town man to the League of Ireland ahead of season opener

Fulham winger Ollie O’Neill has joined Derry City on loan. The youngster has been given the green light to head out the exit door on a temporary basis before the start of the new League of Ireland season.

The Cottagers will be hoping he can get plenty of first-team football under his belt to boost his development. He isn’t the only player to make the switch over from England with Ipswich Town forward Matt Ward making the same move to Brandywell Stadium last week.

Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins has told their club website: “It’s a fantastic signing for us - Ollie will enhance our attacking options and he’ll get supporters off their seats. He’s been eager to get out and get some first team football and Fulham have kindly let him come to us, which we’re very grateful for.

“He’s very, very talented and what was very pleasing was he had done his research and knew a lot about us. He was a major influence in the move - he wanted to come here and wants to be a part of things here.”

O’Neill, 20, has been on the books at Fulham for the past few years and is under contract until 2025. He has caught the eye in the Premier League 2 with the U21s in this campaign and has made 12 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with seven goals and six assists.

Derry kick-start their season tomorrow night away to St. Patrick’s Athletic. Their latest signing is available to make his debut.