Derry City sign midfielder Nicky Low on loan from Dundee

Derry City have signed midfielder Nicky Low from Scottish Premiership side Dundee on loan until the summer with a view to an extension.

The 25-year-old, who has played just twice for Dundee in 2016/17, becomes manager Kenny Shiels’ third close-season signing for The Candystripes after Mark Timlin from St Patrick’s Athletic and reserve goalkeeper Eric Grimes from Cork City.

Shiels is hopeful that Low can fill the void left by the departed Conor McCormack.

“He gives us depth in the middle of the park which we haven’t had since Conor left,” Shiels told the Derry Journal.

“He’s a similar type of player, same size, same model only left sided. He’s a good player. I’ve known him from my time in Scotland.

“We’re down numbers so he will strengthen us. He’s within our budget and is what we need. We’re treading carefully to make sure we get the right player in.”

Low sought advice from ex-Derry players Niall McGinn and Michael Duffy, whom he played alongside with Aberdeen and Dundee respectively, but insists it was Shiels who sold the idea that helped him make his decision.

He said: “I did a bit of research before I came and heard good things from Michael Duffy, who was on loan from Celtic. He gave me a bit of an update and I spoke to Niall McGinn and he said go for it and enjoy it.

“When I spoke to him (Shiels) my mind was made up. I had a few other options in Scotland and Norway and places but when I spoke to Kenny on the phone it was the one place I wanted to go. It’s a change and so I’m looking forward to getting going.”

Low came through the youth academy with Aberdeen and was capped at under-17 level for Scotland. He went on to make 39 first-team appearances during his time at Pittodrie and was a Scottish League Cup winner in 2014.

He spent time on loan with Forfar Athletic and Alloa Athletic before signing a three-year contract with Dundee in 2015.