Stephen Kenny has lost another member of his Republic of Ireland backroom team as Ruaidhri Higgins has been appointed boss of Derry City.

Higgins has signed a three and a half year deal to replace Declan Devine as manager of the Candystripes.

The club has thanked FAI CEO Jonathan Hill and Kenny for allowing Derry to speak to Higgins.

After working with Stephen Kenny at Dundalk, Higgins fulfilled the role of chief scout and opposition analyst with the Republic of Ireland under the Dubliner.

It's not the first backroom departure Kenny has endured.

In January, Damien Duff and Alan Kelly left the national team set up.

Devine left by 'mutual consent' after a poor start to the new SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season.

Derry have yet to win a game and lie bottom of the table with two points from their opening six matches.

36-year-old Higgins played for Derry for nine seasons.

His first game in charge will be against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday.