Former Manchester United, Cheltenham Town, Doncaster Rovers, Tranmere Rovers, Glentoran and Northern Ireland defender keen to help Carrick Rangers break into Irish League's top-six

Carrick enjoyed their best-ever top-flight season last term, finishing seventh for the first time in the club’s history to secure a European play-off semi-final against Crusaders, while they also won more matches (15) and collected more points (50) than before.

Stuart King will be keen to further build on that progression heading into the new campaign and after signing midfielder Seanan Clucas following his summer departure from The Oval, he’s also moved to bring in the experienced McCullough, who spent four years with the Glens after returning home from England, where he enjoyed spells at Manchester United, Cheltenham Town, Doncaster Rovers and Tranmere Rovers.

The 30-year-old has also earned six senior Northern Ireland caps and was part of Michael O’Neill’s squad at Euro 2016, and now McCullough is eager to help his new club achieve their main ambition.

"I had four years at Glentoran so have experience of playing in the league and played over in England before that,” he told the club’s media channel. “I know the Irish League well.

"It's a good time to come to Carrick, kick on and we're hopefully trying to break into the top-six next season. I want to come in and play as many games as I can to help the team.

"The club wants to improve on last season and it'll be the same for the seasons after that. We want to keep improving, building and that's exciting to be a part of."

With McCullough’s departure from Glentoran confirmed last month – alongside nine other players as new manager Declan Devine looks to transform the squad – many Irish League clubs were interested in acquiring his services, but Carrick ultimately won the race.

"I did have a few options,” added McCullough. “I took my time, didn't rush into anything and weighed up my options, but speaking to Stuarty and Peter (Clarke, chairman) here I know the ambition they have going forward and that was the deciding factor to come and be a part of it.

"There are plenty of boys here that I've played with before and it's a small league so you know all the players anyway. I'm sure I'll have no problems settling in and the lads will welcome me in and hopefully we can hit the ground running next season."