There were "mixed feelings" for Glentoran as they finally said goodbye to star man Conor McMenamin.
After weeks of negotiations with St Mirren a deal was finally struck between the two clubs paving the way for McMenamin to pursue a full-time career in Scotland.
Reports suggest the Oval club will received £125,000 up front with a series of add-ons that could see the fee eventually rise to £200,000.
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The Glens were not prepared to let McMenamin go without a fight having knocked back three earlier bids for the Northern Ireland international.
But with McMenamin doing all he could to make the deal possible, including agreeing to reduce his wage demands, everything was finally agreed on on Wednesday with the player leaving The Oval for a second time, but it was very different from his first departure.
The 27-year-old would start to show glimpses of his undoubted quality in spells at Warrenpoint Town and Cliftonville, and when he returned to east Belfast in 2021 the stage was set for him to kick on again and become the league's best player.
Over the past two-and-a-half years he has lit up the league earning rave reviews, international call-ups and attention from other clubs.
Glentoran knew the day was coming when they would eventually have to say goodbye, but it didn't make it any easier on them.
"It’s with mixed feelings that Glentoran Football Club announce that we have reached agreement with St Mirren for the transfer of Conor McMenamin," the club said in a statement announcing McMenamin's departure.
"While we all wish Conor every possible success in the Scottish Premiership, we are sad at the loss of a player who has performed so well for the club since returning to the Bet McLean Oval in January 2021.
"Conor has been an outstanding player for us and also a credit to the club and our league in each of his six appearances for Northern Ireland as a Glentoran player."
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