Just days after Derry City were crowned FAI Cup champions, the club is preparing for another high profile departure as goalkeeper David Forde is poised to sign for high-flying Championship side Cardiff City.
The Candystripes recently lost their highly-respected manager Stephen Kenny as he took up the reins at Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline. And now the 26-year-old Forde has passed a medical and agreed personal terms with Cardiff who are currently third in the table.
Speaking to the BBC Forde felt the pull towards cross-channel football was too strong to turn down.
"I feel I have unfinished business in the UK and I want to push for an international spot," said Forde, who has previously been with Premiership side West Ham.
"Dave Jones wants me to challenge Neil Alexander for the number one spot and it is certainly something I think I can do. Exciting things are happening at Cardiff - they are a couple of points off the top in the Championship and they've got news of a new 30,000 stadium.
"It's a club going in all the right directions, it's a great city and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead.
"All that's left now is to sign on the dotted line," added Forde after two years between the posts at the Brandywell.
In what is turning out to be a tough day for Dery City supporters news also came of Declan Devine's decision to leave the club to join Kenny at Dunfermline
Derry City coach Declan Devine is leaving the club to link up
with former Candystripes manager Stephen Kenny as Scottish club
Dunfermline Athletic.
It's another blow for Derry after goalkeeper David Forde
revealed that he is set to join Cardiff City.
Devine, who said he was looking forward to the challenge of coaching in the SPL, informed Derry chairman Hugh McDaid today.
•Meanwhile, car manufacturer Ford is to take over sponsorship for the FAI Cup from Carlsberg in a four-year deal.
The new deal begins with next year's campaign while Carlsberg will continue their overall relationship with the FAI which will run through to Ireland's next World Cup campaign.
The new Carlsberg deal is worth in excess of €2million to the Association over four years.
