Derry Sign Max Karner

Derry City have confirmed the signing of Austrian defender Max Karner until the end of the season.

The central defender has had two seperate spells in Austria with SV Reid and SV Grodig before he made the move to Levski Sofia last summer.

Manager Kenny Shiels wasn't optimistic of finalising the deal earlier in the week, with Karner originally turning down an offer made by the club.

But it now appears something changed during the last few days and a deal has been agreed.

The new signing will provide defensive cover for the injured Ryan McBride and his defensive partner Aaron Barry.

Kenny Shiels confirmed on Monday night that McBride will undergo surgery on his knee imminently and will be out for a number of weeks. 

It isn't the first defender Shiels has brought in this season with the club sealing the deal for Spanish defender Christian Castells last Saturday.

With their squad becoming stretched in recent weeks, Shiels has now acquired the reinforcements in  defence that his squad needed.