Coleraine and Ballymena dip into close season transfer market
Seven new players are unveiled
The Irish League season may be over for another season but the transfer merry-go-round is already in full swing.
Irish Cup holders, Coleraine, have signed Limavady United defender, Graham Crown, on a two-year deal.
The 26-year-old was the Championship side’s Players’ Player of the Year last season – and a player boss Oran Kearney said he was tracking for some time.
“He nearly joined a few years ago but we were top heavy with centre-halves and I feel this is the correct time to give him a fair crack at it.
“He is a good age and has similar characteristics as Stephen O’Donnell in terms of mentality and hunger. Graham is in great shape and has the right attitude.
“For that he ticks all the boxes and he will certainly provide competition for a starting place.”
Meanwhile, the Bannsiders’ neighbours, Ballymena, have added no fewer than six new players to their squad.
Jonathan Addis, Shane McGinty, James Knowles, Reece Glendinning, Jude Winchester and Andrew McCrory will all turn out for David Jeffrey’s side next season.
And Linfield boss, David Healy has brought in Darren Murphy to his backroom staff after the departure of Alfie Wylie.
Murphy, a former Blues player, is currently the IFA’s Elite Performance coach.