Navid Nasseri sends goodbye message to Glentoran fans after Linfield move

Nasseri’s move was announced by Danske Bank Premiership champions Linfield on Saturday to mark the official opening of the Irish League transfer window - just hours after the playmaker had featured in securing Irish Cup success for Glentoran.

Linfield, Glentoran and Larne all proved active with high-profile weekend signings, with Nasseri’s decision to join the Irish Cup winners’ bitter rivals attacked by supporters online.

Nasseri, however, used his own social media platform on Sunday afternoon to post the following message: “So my time at Glentoran has come to an end. The journey with the club this season has been a pleasure. I want to thank my team mates, coaches, staff & most importantly fans for everything throughout my time. Finishing it off with the Irish Cup is my way of saying thank you!”

“We gave that player a chance when he had been out of football for months,” said Glentoran head coach Mick McDermott on the official club website. “We were prepared to keep him but you reach the point when what a player wants is well beyond what is reasonable and is out of synch with what our best players are on.

“So you move on.

“We are only interested in players who want to be here and who want to commit to our project here and we continue to build our club around players who are committed to our long-term plan.”

Nasseri was described as ‘an exciting talent’ by Linfield boss David Healy on the club’s official website following his two-year deal.

“He’s only turned 24 but he’s played at Macclesfield and Gillingham in England as well as in Sweden and for the past season with Glentoran,” said Healy. “He’s a player we’ve watched closely when he’s played against us and he’s an exciting talent.

“He’s a player of excellent pedigree who can play in several forward positions.

“He’s got a keen eye for goal and he will provide added quality in the final third of the pitch.

“He’s a flair player with a lot of pace and I know the news of his arrival will be warmly welcomed by our supporters who will be excited at the prospect of seeing him in action.”

Health also revealed deals for Conor Pepper, Chris Johns and Christy Manzinga.

“He’s a versatile player who’s done very well since he came into this league after a spell in full-time football in Scotland with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Greenock Morton,” said Healy on Pepper, who also joined Linfield after time at Glentoran. “He was very impressive when he played for Glentoran against us and his welcome signing will certainly strengthen the squad and increase the competition levels among the players.

“He’s a very experienced player of proven quality and I’m really looking forward to working with him as we gear up towards our participation on the European stage and look ahead to a new domestic season in the weeks ahead.”

Manzinga previously played in France, Belgium and Scotland.

“I am in regular contact with Stephen Robinson, the Motherwell manager, and he speaks very highly of Christy as a player and an individual,” said Healy on the club website. “Christy had other options ahead of the upcoming season, so it’s great that he has chosen to sign for us.

“He’s a big strong lad who can play in several striking positions.”

Healy also described the arrival of former Coleraine goalkeeper Johns as “a very experienced and talented keeper who knows this league very well” on the club official website. The Linfield boss highlighted how Johns “has played in many big games for Coleraine and he has an excellent temperament for a goalkeeper”.

The Glens moved quickly to build on the Irish Cup celebrations by revealing three fresh signings - with Luke McCullough, Jamie McDonagh and Rory Brown confirmed as Oval arrivals.

The versatile Northern Ireland international McCullough returns home after time on the books of Manchester United, Doncaster Rovers and Tranmere Rovers in England.

McDonagh, a former Northern Ireland under 21 international, proved impressive previously at Derry City.
Brown joins the Glens from Institute.

“It’s important to strengthen when you’re already improving and these three lads will make a major contribution to Glentoran next season and well beyond,” said McDermott on the club’s official website. “Luke is a massive addition to our squad, he can play multiple positions at centre-back and centre midfield.

“He has vast experience at the highest levels including a number of caps for Northern Ireland.

“He’s another leader and allies a strong physical presence with great footballing ability.

“For us to get a full Northern Ireland international shows our intent to progress the Glentoran project.

“Jamie will be a brilliant addition, he has been one of the most consistent performers in League of Ireland the last two seasons so he will definitely strengthen us.

“He has the ability to play multiple roles along the right side, he’s dynamic, pacy and a great crosser of a ball...he’s a real coup for us.

“Rory is without doubt the best young goalkeeper in Northern Ireland, although he’s still only 20 years old he’s already experienced in Irish League.

“He has aspirations to move across the water again and Glentoran gives him the full-time platform to make that a possibility.”

Ronan Hale will return to the Danske Bank Premiership following confirmation by Larne of a deal for the former Crusaders striker.

The 21-year-old also counts Birmingham City, Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic on his list of clubs.

“Ronan is a young lad who, in our opinion, will be a very, very bright prospect in the Irish League this year,” said Larne boss Tiernan Lynch on the club’s official website. “He a lad who is only 21, but has already had a bright career.

“He’s scored goals in England, he’s scored goals in the League of Ireland and the Irish League to date.

“He’s also played internationally and scored goals, so we’re very excited to get him in and have him as a part of what we’re doing.”

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