Rovers sign ex-City keeper

Shamrock Rovers have signed former Derry City goalkeeper Russell Payne.

The 29-year-old American, who played at the Brandywell between 2000 and 2002, has agreed a two-year contract and will return to the eircom League from German Regional League South side SV Elversberg 07.

Payne is a former US youth international and has played for Major League Soccer outfit Colorado Rapids and Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

The signing bolsters Hoops manager Liam Buckley’s options between the posts, with former Cork City keeper Noel Mooney currently unchallenged for the slot.

Buckley, who is likely to include Payne in his squad for this weekend’s league visit to Derry, said: “I’m delighted to have a keeper of Russell's calibre on board.”