 Gareth McAuley is a Northern Ireland 'B' international |
Coleraine defender Gareth McAuley, 24, has agreed a two-year deal with League Two club Lincoln City. The move, for a fee of �10,000, came after negotiations with Sammy McIlroy's Stockport County broke down.
The Northern Ireland 'B' international was offered terms by Lincoln manager Keith Alexander, the former Cliftonville player.
"I am delighted to have beaten off competition to sign the player," Alexander told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
"I am expecting him in the team soon."
Coleraine boss Marty Quinn added: "I am delighted for Gareth, particularly after the way Stockport let Gareth down.
"At no time did Sammy McIlroy get in touch with me. I'm not impressed at all.
"Lincoln have been watching Gareth since the beginning of the year and stepped in when Stockport said they were unable to go ahead with negotiations," added Quinn.
Larne-based McAuley joined Coleraine from Crusaders in July 2002.
McAuley had a brief spell at Linfield in 1996 before going on loan to Ballyclare Comrades in 2000 and then moved to Seaview where he made 60 appearances for Alan Dornan's side.
The defender is likely to be included in the Lincoln squad for the League Two opener against Shrewsbury on Saturday.
MMIX
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