SKY Blues manager Steven Pressley has wished goalkeeper Joe Murphy all the best for his future after the Republic of Ireland international agreed to join Huddersfield Town on a free transfer.
The 32-year-old, who played more than 150 games for the Sky Blues over an impressive three-year spell, will join up with former boss Mark Robins when his current deal expires on July 1.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Joe,” said Pressley. “He has been a wonderful professional during my time here and the fact he’s missed just one league game in three seasons speaks volumes.
“But the draw of the Championship was simply too great for him to turn down and while 32 is still young for a keeper, it’s understandable that he wanted to move to a higher level at this stage of his career.”
Murphy’s departure could signal a chance for Lee Burge to stake his claim to become the club’s new number one next season.
But development director, Steve Waggott, said the club are searching for a second senior goalkeeper to compete with Burge for the number one spot.
Waggott added: “We worked hard to keep Joe but the pull of Championship football and the improved deal that brings made it difficult.
“We wish Joe all the best for his future career but we have to move forward.
“The manager and Neil MacFarlane have identified targets to bring in and we will be working over the next few weeks to make that happen.
“They see Lee Burge as a great prospect and I believe he is more than capable of making the step up to first team level but it’s important to get a second goalkeeper in as competition for places is important in every position.”
