MICHAEL McCrudden has signed a pre-contract agreement with Derry City and will officially join the Brandywell club in June.
The Institute striker has netted 18 times in the NIFL Premiership this season.
McCrudden had a two-year spell on the Lonemoor Moor Road between 2010-2012.
Declan Devine has long admired the Gobnascale man but failed to secure the players services in January – much to the frustration of McCrudden.
The 27-year-old told BBC Sport NI:”I’ve told Institute I’m not going to play for them as they wouldn’t let me go.
“I made it clear to Institute a few weeks ago that I wanted to move to Derry City, but they said no,” he added.
“I will just train with Derry three nights a week from now until I can play for them in July.”
McCrudden’s comment come after ‘Stute appeared to stand firm.
The news comes as a double blow following the exit of manager Paddy McLaughlin to Cliftonville on Monday.
Derry City also confirmed the signings of Darren Cole, Eoghan Stokes and Gerardo Bruna on Tuesday.
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