It appears that Irish League champions Larne have got their man once again with news that Ballymena United have reluctantly accepted an offer for the transfer of Craig Farquhar.
After the season ended, it was made clear that the player wanted an immediate move away from the Showgrounds. The 20-year-old defender enjoyed a remarkable season, having made his debut against the Inver men in February. He also netted against Larne in the Irish Cup semi-final this season.
With only one year left on his contract, it forced the hand of Ballymena. Following weeks of negotiations through his agent a transfer has now been agreed between both clubs. It is Larne's first signing of the summer.
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Larne manager Tiernan Lynch told the club's website: “Craig is a young player who has developed a lot over the last few years and showed his qualities at senior level last year.
“As a club, we have shown with a number of times how full-time football can play a hugely significant role in helping a player to progress even further and Craig is hungry to do that."
For Ballymena, it is another blow following the departure of David Jeffrey, and it will be a major setback to the plans of new boss Jim Ervin.
"We know that supporters will be disappointed by this development, as we were when Craig voiced his opinion almost immediately after the season end that he wanted to leave," Ballymena Vice Chairman Chris Selwood explained.
"We asked for the courtesy of appointing a new management team first, and despite talks with them about getting Craig full time football across the water, he and his agent have been very clear from the start that he wanted to go to Larne.
"As a player in the final year of his contract, it meant that we once again have to succumb to the lure from clubs with greater financial resources rather than keep hold of a player for a year who has clearly stated that there was nothing we could offer to make him want to stay.
"At a time when we are trying to build with a new management team, we are only interested in keeping and attracting those players who want to be here and be part of that.
"We have managed to negotiate the best possible financial package for our club, including future add ons and wish Craig all the best.”
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