Ballymena Utd January transfers

January signings: Dean Ebbe (Dundalk), Igor Rutkowski (Armagh City), Sean Murray (free agent), Brad Wade (Waterford), Shane McEleney (Glentoran), Fuad Sule (Persis)

January departures: Josh Carson (Portadown), David Taylor (Dundela - loan), Sean O'Neill (retired), Ryan McNickle (Limavady United - loan), Alex Gawne (Annagh United - loan), Kym Nelson (H&W Welders), Zach Nolan (released)

Ballymena United's late swoop to sign former Glentoran and Larne midfielder Fuad Sule looks like a super bit of business for the club.

A standout performer at both his previous Irish Premiership clubs, the deep-lying midfielder makes teams tick and will bring great leadership qualities to the Sky Blues too as they look to push for a top six place.

Oran Kearney has acted decisively in the mid-season transfer window as he looks to put his own stamp on the Sky Blues squad he inherited at the start of December, with Sule one of six signings made.

Kearney had identified a lack of firepower up top as an area to address, bringing in two strikes in Dean Ebbe and Igor Rutkowski, with the latter having hit the ground running with a couple of goals already.

Sean Murray and Shane McEleney, like Sule, are more experienced players, but keeping both fit will be key following their previous injury-hit spells at Glentoran.

Brad Wade has come in to replace the retired Sean O'Neill, who was a great servant over two spells with the club while a host of fringe players have gone out on loan or moved on to pastures new.