Cliftonville have completed their first pieces of business this summer with the arrivals of two defenders – with one very familiar to life at Solitude.

First up making the switch to Jim Magilton’s side is 21-year-old defender Dan O’Connor.

The central defender came through the ranks at Mervue United and after a spell at Galway United, he joined Ipswich Town in 2023.

He spent last season at two clubs on a permanent basis, notably at Kerry and then AFC Totton.

placeholder image — Kyle McClelland has joined Cliftonville on a permanent basis

Also returning to north Belfast is Kyle McClelland who has completed a permanent move at the Reds.

The Scottish-born defender was on loan at Cliftonville for the second half of last season but his playing time was restricted to just two games after suffering a broken toe.

McClelland was on the books at Rangers as a youngster and also had a permanent spell at Hibernian.

He would enjoy loan spells away from Easter Road at Cove Rangers and Queen of the South before crossing the Irish Sea for the first time to spend a season on loan at Coleraine.

McClelland was released by Hibernian and subsequently joined Glenavon last summer but will now return to Cliftonville after his recent departure from Mourneview Park.

There have been several departures from Solitude so far this summer as Micheál Glynn has joined Ballymena United, with Reece Jordan also agreeing terms with Loughgall.

Defender Jonny Addis has also departed – with a move to Ballymena United imminent – with Sean Robertson and Oisin Murray also no longer on the books at the Reds.