Derry City's vision 'lines up perfectly' with Will Fitzgerald's aspirations

At 21 years-of-age the highly regarded Limerick man believes it's time he takes his game onto the next level and he's set himself ambitious targets during his 12 month spell on Foyleside.

The versatile midfielder was strongly linked with a move to Derry when leaving Limerick in the summer of 2019.

Waterford pipped the Candy Stripes for his signature on that occasion but Fitzgerald is delighted to finally make the move to Brandywell and believes Derry City and manager Declan Devine are the 'perfect fit' for him.

"Once I knew my ambitions of competing in the league, achieving Europe, challenging for a trophy, lined up with Declan and the club's ambitions, it was a no brainer for me," he said.

"The club has exciting times ahead. So the fans have a lot to look forward to," promised the Raheen native.

"From the first day I've come up here I've been really impressed with everything. From the set-up, the professionalism, to what Declan and the club are trying to do."

Devine added Fitzgerald, Will Patching and Marc Walsh to his squad on Monday afternoon while goalkeeper Jack Lemoignan earned his first professional deal as Devine's 2021 squad begins to take shape.

And Fitzgerald believes the team has potential to challenge for honours this year.

"Some of the young local group of players coming through, the talent they have is almost frightening as well. Declan was always going to get a competitive squad together, It's in his nature to compete and want to win things.

"It's a fresh start for me. I feel as though I'm 21 going on 22 now and I want to compete. It's not just about developing. I want to try and win a trophy, get Europe. It was always going to be a great fit for me so I'm looking forward to the season ahead."

The versatile midfielder was part of Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland U21 squad early last year and he hopes his move to Derry City will keep him in contention on the international front.

"That played a big part in my decision as well," he said. "If you look at all the clubs around Ireland and ask what would be the best fit for me personally in my career and what club would make me a better player?

"I think Declan and the coaching staff and the players will only help me achieve that at Derry and hopefully I can help them as well."

He's played more than 50 games in the League of Ireland over four seasons with both Limerick and Waterford but he admits moving from Munster to the North West has been an easier transition than expected.

"It is a big move and it's a big change but it's one I'm looking forward to. Everyone has made me feel welcome up here. I've been in the League of Ireland now for four years and everyone who has been involved in the League of Ireland knows how big a footballing city Derry is.

"I'm really looking forward to playing my part in hopefully creating new memories for the club and hopefully the supporters.

"All I can hope for is that Derry take my game onto the next level. As a professional footballer I want to improve my game every single day and talk it to the next level.

Like I said, from the very first day I got here I've been so impressed by the setup, the professionalism and the intensity of training. Everything has been just perfect, it's a very good fit and I look forward to working hard with the team in a full time set-up and I'm really excited about the season ahead.

"Declan has put across to us that he wants to play free-flowing football that will excite the fans whether they're watching it on TV or in the stadium. Everyone has linked up well in training and we're a tight knit group. I'm looking forward to seeing how that translates to the pitch.

"I'm as strong and as fit as ever so I can't wait to show all the Derry fans what I'm capable of."