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We are delighted to confirm the signing of former Nottingham Forest, Barnsley and Halifax Town striker Gerry McDonagh.

The 24-year-old Englishman has agreed a one year deal to become new manager Jim McIntyre’s first signing since taking over at Balmoral Stadium just over a fortnight ago. Gerry will wear the number 7 shirt.

Cove Rangers fans are likely to get the opportunity to see Gerry make his debut when we play Gala Fairydean Rovers in a friendly at home on Saturday, kick-off 1pm.

Manager Jim said: “Gerry made it clear he wanted to come here to try to make a name for himself and I’m happy to give him that opportunity because he gives us something we don’t already have up front.”

Gerry said: “I’m delighted to be here and I’m really looking forward to the new challenge of playing in Scotland for the first time.”

Gerry, at 6ft 3in, is now the tallest of the strikers at the club, which boss Jim believes will be a major asset when we compete in the Championship.

Jim said: “We already have three fantastic strikers at the club who know where the back of the net is.

“Gerry is a completely different type in terms of his strength, his hold up play and his ability to bring others into the game.

“It’s important that you have different characters and options to choose from.

“Gerry is also younger than our other strikers. That’s something we had to look at.

“We have quite a few 30-pluses in the squad, which will be important when we play in the Championship.

“You need experience at that level and we have an abundance of that in our dressing room.

“That will help us next season – and also help Gerry do the best he can now that he is with us.

“Gerry’s obvious willingness to come to Cove was also a big part of why we were happy to get him.

“When you work for a club where the geography makes signings more difficult you really need to search about for players who want to come.

“Gerry showed that wouldn’t be a problem to him right from the start of our conversations together.

“He is delighted to have been given the opportunity to try something new, despite the fact he has a young family down in Nottingham.

“Those are the type of players I want to bring to this club.”

Born in Nottingham, Gerry is a product of English Premier League side Forest’s Youth Academy, which he joined at the age of 11.

Gerry was at the City Ground for nine years and made his first team debut for Forest in 2015, aged just 17, when they were still in the Championship.

He spent spells on loan to Wrexham, Cambridge and Tranmere while with Forest before moving to  Barnsley in 2018.

Gerry also played for Aldershot and Tamworth before joining National League Halifax last August.

He netted twice in five appearances during a loan spell with Kettering Town before becoming a free agent at the end of the season.

Gerry also qualifies to play for the Republic of Ireland through his parentage and scored once in five appearances for them at Under-17 level.

Gerry said: “I feel my record doesn’t fairly reflect what I’m capable of bringing to Cove Rangers.

“I’ve never enjoyed a decent run of games, so I’ve come here determined to change that.

“It’s a bit of an adventure too because I’ve never played in Scotland before.

“That’s something I’m really looking forward to and why the fact I have family, including a couple of kids, in Nottingham was never going to be an issue.

“I know it’s a big season for Cove as well because the club is going to be playing at Championship level for the first time.

“I can promise the Cove fans that I will give it my all and try my best to score goals to make it a season we can all enjoy.”

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