LARNE Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Northern Ireland under-21 international Conor Mitchell.
Conor arrives at the club following the expiry of his contract at English Premier League club Burnley.
His time at Turf Moor included loan spells at St Johntone and Linfield, where he finished last season.
“It’s been a strange period for me, the first of my career where I was a free agent,” the 23-year-old goalkeeper said.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be at Burnley anymore and had a few options on the table, but spoke to Tiernan and was really drawn into this project – and the pull of full-time football was a big thing.
“I’ve seen what Larne are doing and it’s great for the Irish League and great for the town. I’m buzzing to be a part of it.
“I’ve trained with the squad and felt like I fitted in right away, they’re a great bunch.
“I have kept myself ticking over during the summer so I was wanted to be ready to get going once things were agreed.”
He joins Conor Devlin in the goalkeeping department and it will see two former Northern Ireland underage internationals go head-to-head for the number one spot.
“I know Conor, so I know how good of a goalkeeper he is,” the new recruit said.
“I think that sort of healthy competition is going to be great for the both of us.
“That sort of competition throughout the squad brings a desire from everyone and benefits the whole team.”
Boss Tiernan Lynch is understandably delighted to bolster his squad further.
“If we’re to make this journey successful then we need to bring quality players to the club,” he said.
“We understand you can’t bring everyone to the club at once, but it’s about bringing about the right characters here.
“Conor is a top lad, in the short space of the time we’ve spent together it’s clear that he’s hungry and very ambitious.
“I’m maybe biased, but I feel we have two of the best keepers in the league at the club now.
“If you’re going to have a successful season then that brings 40-50 games per season and if that’s the case you need everyone in the squad playing their part.”
Conor will join the squad for their first pre-season friendly at Inver Park this Saturday, as we welcome Crumlin United, for a 3pm kick-off.
