Ballymena United move set to offer Chris McKee 'a fresh start' as widely-speculated switch is completed
Ballymena United have completed their first piece of summer business by announcing the arrival of Chris McKee.
The striker has agreed terms on a deal at the Ballymena Showgrounds following the expiry of his contract at Linfield.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a four-and-a-half-year spell at Windsor Park and helped the Blues win two league titles and three League Cups under David Healy’s management.
McKee went on to make over 150 appearances during his time as a Linfield player, netting 46 times, including the winner in last season's BetMcLean Cup final against Glentoran.
However, the former Rangers trainee believes his move to Warden Street will offer him “a fresh start” in a new chapter of his career.
“Now is the time for me to kick on in my career, have a fresh start and a change and I was really excited by the project Ballymena came to me with,” he told Ballymena United’s official website.
"When you look at the group of players Ballymena already have and those we're looking to bring in, I think we have a really strong squad."
McKee is expected to be joined by his former Linfield colleagues David Walsh, Scot Whiteside, Charlie Allen and Josh Archer at the Sky Blues next season, with Cliftonville pair Micheal Glynn and Jonny Addis also expected to join the ranks at United.
With his new signing unveiled, Ballymena boss Oran Kearney has tipped former Northern Ireland U21 international McKee to help provide more goals to his team next season.
He said: "When you look at last season, we haven't scored enough goals and conceded too many. Different players we bring in will have different jobs and Chris' will be to add to the goals scored column.
"He's not green or naive, there isn't a period of learning that needs to come first. Chris just wants to play more football and hopefully the frustrations he's had pour out onto the pitch for us.”
It has been a busy summer for Kearney’s side as Aaron Jarvis, Stephen O’Donnell and Daniel Lafferty have all been released and subsequently joined Limavady United, with Dylan McGeouch, Brad Wade, Alex Gawne, Caolan Loughran, Shea McAuley also being let go by the Braidmen.