ENNIS’ Barry Cotter has signed with Buglarian side CSKA Sofia.
CSKA will compete in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League over the coming months, having been eliminated at the play-off stage of the Europa League by Greek side OFI. Cotter’s Derry City lost 5-3 on aggregate to the Bulgarian side in the first qualifying round of the Europa League in July where the performance of the Clare man caught the attention of the Sofia management.
Barry heads to Bulgaria from Derry. He joined Derry City FC in February and played thirty times for the Candystripes, scoring twice during his seven month stint with the League of Ireland Premier Division side.
Of his transfer, Barry commented, “New week, new opportunities, same goals. Delighted to be part of the family and help bring success to this unbelievable football club, I can’t wait to get started. All glory to GOD”.
Derry City FC confirmed Cotter’s departure on Tuesday and that he was joining CSKA Sofia for an undisclosed fee. “Barry was obviously an important member of our squad, however this is a fantastic opportunity for him, and the club didn’t want to stand in his way. We want to wish Barry every success at CSKA”.
In a statement, CSKA Sofia welcomed Barry as the club’s seventh addition during the summer transfer window. The club has won a record 31 Bulgarian titles and 22 Bulgarian Cups. Internationally, CSKA are the only Bulgarian club to have reached the semi-finals of the European Cup, which they have done twice and they have also reached the semi-final of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup once. Notable past players of the club include Dimitar Berbatov, Stilian Petrov and Martin Petrov.
Most frequently lining out at right-back or right wing-back, twenty seven year old Barry burst to prominence with Limerick FC following underage spells with Ennis Town FC, Lifford AFC and Avenue Utd.
In January 2018, he signed for the Mick McCarthy managed Ipswich Town and made his debut under the former Republic of Ireland boss. He left Portman Road for short stints with Leyton Orient and he also spent time training with Swedish side GAIS.
Cotter moved to Dublin and signed with Shamrock Rovers in August 2021 where he won a Premier Division title. The following summer, he linked up with another Dublin side in St Patrick’s Athletic on loan before heading to Barnsley in January 2023 where he made sixty six appearances. The club released him on loan to Notts County in 2025 and he then joined Derry City.
