Larne owner Kenny Bruce has backed Lee Bonis to be a “huge asset” to the Inver Park club and has told critics of the big-money deal to look at the “facts”.
Bonis joined Tiernan Lynch’s men for an “undisclosed fee” on Sunday although newspaper reports claimed a fee of approximately £100,000 had been put on the 22-year-old’s head.
The reported transfer fee for the Portadown striker proved a major talking point on Twitter with some Irish League fans branding it “crazy”.
Another added: “More money than sense!”
Radio Ulster football commentator Joel Taggart wrote on his Twitter account that he couldn’t understand the "negativity" surrounding the Bonis deal.
And that prompted Bruce, who has invested heavily in Larne, on and off the pitch, since taking over his hometown club in 2017, to hail the move as good business for “all parties”.
He replied: “We are delighted to secure Lee. The structure of the transfer deal suited all parties.
“A firing on all cylinders 22-year-old striker in the Irish League will be a huge asset to our club, especially with the Brexit effect.
“Watch the space and let’s see what transpires. #FactsMatter.”
Taggart pointed out that Larne were effectively spending a percentage of the estimated £725,000 they pocketed for playing in this season’s Europa Conference League.
The East Antrim club reached the third qualifying round of the competition, eventually bowing out to Portuguese club Pacos de Ferreira.
Taggart Tweeted: “Larne spending money earned in Europe. Not much point in not spending it or it’s not much of an advantage. Good young player stays in league a bit longer and Ports get £££.”
Glentoran were also reportedly chasing Bonis, but the 22-year-old opted to join Larne following talks with Tiernan Lynch.
