DERRY CITY: Mikhail Kennedy reckons loan move to City is a '˜brilliant opportunity'

The highly rated 20 year-old Charlton Athletic striker, who has been in terrific form for the Addicks’ Under-23s this season, will join the ‘Candy Stripes’ until June next.

The signing will be a major boost to boss, Kenny Shiels, who had earlier this week played down speculation linking Kennedy with a move to the Brandywell club.

The N. Ireland U23 international who netted twice in the Addicks’ 5-2 win over Middlesbrough at Greenwich Borough’s DGS Marine Stadium in the Premier League Cup on Monday afternoon, is delighted to sign for Shiels troops.

And he reckons his five month loan move will be a ‘brilliant opportunity’ for him to develop his game.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for me,” said Kennedy. “I could have stayed and played under-23 football and maybe waited for an injury at Charlton. But when I spoke to the manager about it, he said, ‘listen this is the opportunity you need’.

“He said he would prefer I came here and played for a team which would be playing Europa League this year and challenge for the league. So it’s a real opportunity.

“One of the main reasons which persuaded me to come here, and I had other offers from clubs in Ireland, was that I’m coming into a settled squad with lads that I know and played with before.”