Mikey Place signs for Ballymena Utd

Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey saw his side ease their way into the next round of the Irish Cup at the weekend before announcing his first signing of the January window.

He confirmed that Mikey Place, whose past clubs include Galway United and Finn Harps, had joined after their 2-0 win over Loughgall.

Jeffrey feels he will be a big addition to his squad, and will be expecting him to assist in their drive for a top four finish, they currently sit in sixth place in the NIFL Premiership only seven points behind fourth placed Larne United.

“Michael is probably known more as a front man in his earlier days but we have brought him in very much to strengthen us on our right-hand side — right-back, right wing-back, that area,” he said.

“I’m delighted to have him with us, obviously at this stage everyone is looking to strengthen.”

Place made the move to Eamonn Deacy Park in December 2019, after a two-year spell with Finn Harps.

The former Sligo Rovers and Derry City attacker fired Finn Harps to promotion in the 2018 season, topping the goalscoring charts at Finn Park with 10 goals.

He played 22 matches for John Caulfield’s Galway United side during the 2021 season before deciding to move to the NIFL. He will now ply his trade alongside two other former Galway United teammates who also moved to NIFL clubs, Thomas Olowa at Larne and Joe Gorman at Portadown.

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— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) January 10, 2022