Paul Carden completed the signing of goalkeeper Andy Coughlin this morning, Saturday 13 June.
Coughlin who played at Wembley in the FA Trophy Final just weeks ago and is the current England C keeper arrives at the Merseyrail Community Stadium as the Port’s new number one.
Paul Carden said:
“I am delighted to have signed Andy. I have seen Andy play a number of times and he has always impressed me. Andy will give us stability in goal, something we did not have last season. Andy is an ambitious player who we will look to develop further. To get this key signing completed is massive to me. He will have the number one on his back which is a big plus for Andy. He is a really good prospect.”
Coughlin, Wrexham’s first-choice goalkeeper for the past two seasons decided to leave the Racecourse Ground with the arrival of new manager Gary Mills.
Paul Carden has been in lengthy negotiations immediately Coughlin turned down the new contract on offer at Wrexham.
On leaving Wrexham Andy told the Daily Post:
“After much consideration I have decided to turn down a new contract at the club,” said the Liverpool-born stopper .
“I’d like to thank the fans for their support over the past three seasons, the staff and players connected with the club I have played alongside with.
“Michael Oakes has brought me on massively as a keeper over the past few seasons and I’m grateful for the work he has done with me.
“Pursuing first-team football is the main aim for me and I’m looking forward to the next chapter.”
The 6ft 3in Coughlin started his career in the centre of excellence of Tranmere Rovers at the age of 15 and signed a two-year apprenticeship in the summer of 2009.
In April 2011, he penned his first professional contract, a one-year deal with the Prentonians, and a year later made his first-team debut in a 1-1 draw with Hartlepool United.
However, he was released by Rovers at the end 2011/12.
Early July 2012 saw Coughlin join Wrexham on trial, before agreeing a one-year deal later that month.
He made his debut for the Dragons in a 3-2 win at Stockport County on October 10, due to regular keeper Joslain Mayebi being away on international duty with Cameroon.
Coughlin played his first home league match in a 4-2 defeat to Lincoln City at the Racecourse Ground.
After a season as second-choice and making just seven appearances, Coughlin extended his deal by 12 months in the summer of 2013.
An error-strewn start to the 2013/14 campaign by Mayebi handed Coughlin the number one spot, which he kept and played well, earning the praises of the Wrexham fans throughout the season.
The Bootle keeper made 29 first-team appearances last term, bringing his total for Wrexham to 66 in all.
He was on the bench when the Dragons won the FA Trophy for the first time in the club’s history in 2013, but featured in last season’s final of the competition at Wembley, which the North Walians lost on penalties to North Ferriby United.
Coughlin has been part of England C manager Paul Fairclough’s plans for the past two years and last represented his country most recently in a 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Source: Southportfc.net
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