David Jeffrey voices delight as Conor McCloskey signs two-year deal with Ballymena United

McCloskey – who spent the last four years at Taylor’s Avenue – has agreed a two-year deal with the Sky Blues.

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to bring Conor to Ballymena United,” said Ballymena manager David Jeffrey.

“He’s been the target of several other clubs now and over the past couple of seasons but his loyalty to Carrick has been commendable.

“Now he feels ready to move on to his next challenge, and he fits the profile of player that we have been looking for in our dealings to date, he’s hungry for success and up for the challenge of bringing that to the Sky Blues.

“Paul McAreavey had also been watching Conor under his previous role at Linfield, so we know a lot about his pace and how technically gifted he is in that role.

“We met a few weeks ago and we talked of our plans for the club and our ambitions and laid the same challenge to him, as we have all players, only if you are 110 per cent committed can you sign that form.

“Conor was a gentleman to deal with and had his mind made up to sign and it was very pleasing that we are able to bring in another player under the new wage structure here.”

McCloskey becomes United’s fifth signing of a busy summer, following the arrivals of Johnny Flynn, Denver Gage, Kyle Owens and Cathair Friel.