Rodney McAree completes his first signing since returning to Dungannon Swifts as shot stopper signs on the dotted line as three former players are linked with moves to Stangmore Park
Dungannon Swifts have announced their first signing of the summer transfer window as Conor Mitchell makes the move from Warrenpoint Town.
The former Burnley, Linfield, St Johnstone and Larne goalkeeper becomes Rodney McAree’s first arrival since he was re-appointed as manager earlier this week.
Mitchell was at Warrenpoint Town last season but the former Northern Ireland U21 international has opted to join the Swifts, who preserved their Premiership status with a promotion/relegation play-off win against Annagh United.
In a statement on the club’s website, McAree believes the arrival of the 27-year-old will help provide competition between the sticks.
“Conor has got good experience, he’s got great presence, he’s a good organiser and he talks very well,” he said.
"His professionalism around training and how he conducts himself is second to none, so he’ll certainly bring good competition along with Decky (Dunne).
"There’s already a very good goalkeeper at the Club in Decky. Someone who I thought done every well in the play off games, but ultimately, we can’t rely on one good goalkeeper to get us through the course of a season.
“We have to look and try and bring in more quality and we have done that along with Conor. We are looking forward to working with him.”
Meanwhile, McAree has been linked with bringing three former players back to the club as Chris Hegarty, Seanan Clucas and Dougie Wilson could all return to Stangmore Park.
The trio played under McAree during his first stint in charge and helped the Swifts secure their first ever senior trophy in the 2018 BetMcLean Cup.
Wilson could be tempted to move from Ballymena United, whilst Chris Hegarty has been made available for transfer by Crusaders.
Midfielder Clucas has gone on record to discuss a strained relationship when he played under Warren Feeney at Linfield, who has since taken charge at Glentoran, although the former Preston North End man is under contract at The Oval.