Darren Murphy has become Cork City FC boss John Caulfield’s first signing for the club, having signed on the dotted line of a new contract on Thursday evening.

The 28-year-old joins from The Skrill Premier side Woking and has had spells at Stevenage, Aldershot Town, Port Vale, Macclesfield Town and, most recently, Woking since his first stint with Cork City FC (2007 – 2008).

Caulfield hailed Murphy’s arrival ahead of the 2014 Airtricity League Premier Division season as “fantastic” and said he expects to see the tough tackling midfielder that Cork City supporters will already be well aware of.

“He’s a Cork lad that has come up through the ranks,” Caulfield added, speaking to CorkCityFC.ie. “He had a good career at Stevenage. He was unlucky to pick up a bad injury a couple of seasons ago but he’s in great condition now.

“He’s exactly the type of the player that we want at Cork City too – a lad whose heart is with the club and who’s from the area.

“This signing shows our intention – we intend to be up at the top this year and to be very competitive. We need winners, and I believe that Darren is the first of the signings we will make that is a winner.”

Murphy revealed his delight at being back at the club, saying he had no hesitation in signing once he had spoken to his new manager.

“John’s passion and enthusiasm made me want to sign straight away,” Murphy explained. “We share the same views – he wants to win and I want to win, and I think we’ll gel together well.

“There’s always going to be a love in my heart for Cork City. I’m still in touch with a couple of the lads that I played with here, I always watched games when I was back and I always wanted them to do well.”

Asked what the Cork’s sporting public can expect over the coming months, he concluded: “I’m 28 now. I’m in the prime of my game. I’ve a lot more experience and my control and my passing has improved. The tough tackling, passion, heart and determination are still there though!”