Northern Eire worldwide Conor McMenamin has made a shock swap from Coleraine to Glentoran simply two months after he signed for the Bannsiders.
As a part of the deal, Joe Thomson will make the transfer to the Showgrounds from Coleraine on a two-year deal.
Winger McMenamin signed for Coleraine on 23 June in a high-profile transfer as he returned to the Irish Premiership after three years within the SPL with St Mirren.
The 31-year-old, who has struggled with various accidents over the previous two seasons, didn’t begin a sport throughout his transient spell with Coleraine.
Billed as a key member of Ruaidhri Higgins' star-studded assault with the likes of Matthew Shevlin, Ben Doherty and Joel Cooper, McMenamin's transfer again to Glentoran is a shock switch.
Talking concerning the participant's departure, Higgins stated: "These items occur in soccer and I've no private situation with Conor in any way.
"Initially a part of the plan is that he'd transfer nearer to the north coast which hasn't occurred.
"I believe while you try this commute from Downpatrick to Coleraine and again on daily basis, I believe it could have a unfavourable affect in your physique.
"I didn't assume it was very best, neither did Conor after just a few good conversations, and we've determined to come back to this association which I believe fits all events."
'Every part has occurred actually shortly'
It’s a third spell on the Oval for McMenamin, who had a season on the east Belfast facet in 2015-16 after which a stand-out two years from 2021 till 2023, which led to his transfer to Scotland.
He gained the primary of his 14 Northern Eire caps in 2022 whereas nonetheless at Glentoran, and scored in opposition to San Marino the next 12 months.
Nonetheless, he has not featured underneath supervisor Michael O'Neill since a late cameo within the 5-1 defeat by Spain in June 2024.
"Every part has occurred actually shortly, however as soon as I knew there was a chance to return to Glentoran, I used to be delighted to take it," stated McMenamin.
He added: "I performed a few of the finest soccer of my profession right here, earned my first Northern Eire call-up and secured a transfer to Scotland. My three years with St Mirren had been vastly essential and I return as a greater and extra skilled participant.
"This isn’t about wanting again at what I achieved right here earlier than. I nonetheless have lots that I need to accomplish."
McMenamin is Glentoran's sixth signing of the summer season, following the arrivals of Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Greg Sloggett, Rhys Walsh, Lekan Sule and Ethan Schilte-Brown, with Walsh having since joined Annagh United.
Coleraine high the Irish Premiership desk with three wins and a draw from 4 matches, whereas Glentoran are sixth with two wins and two defeats in a blended begin to their marketing campaign.
