Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Steven Crawford

Stuart King thrilled as double signing boosts Carrick Rangers

Stuart King has boosted his attacking options with the signings of Nedas Maciulaitis and Jamal Dupree.

The Carrick Rangers boss confirmed the double swoop on Thursday and feels both players will have a big part to play for the remainder of this season.

“Nedas is a brilliant signing for us. We have been on the lookout for a centre-forward and I believe he is the best there is outside the Premiership," King told the club website.

Read next: Roy McGivern calls for ambulance cover insisting 'lessons have to learned'

"He’s a young, strong lad with massive potential. He wants to do well and everything he has said to me in our conversations was exactly what I wanted to hear.

“He’s at the right age now to come and play in the Premiership. I think when he played in the top flight previously he was too young but now he’s at the right age to hit the ground running.

“There were four other Premiership sides chasing his signature, so for us to get him over the line is a big statement as it shows the calibre and quality of player we can attract and that wants to come to us.

“He wants to keep improving and kick-on in the Premiership which matches our own ambitions as a Club so hopefully that can be achieved together.

“Jamal is someone who was recommended to me, he has come in and trained with us for the last month and has looked very sharp and strong.

“It was a no-brainer for us as he’s played at a decent level both north and south and will give us another dimension in the middle of the park and in wide areas.

“Finally I would like to place on record my thanks to both the Board and my scouting team who have gone out and watched Nedas and Jamal as they have both helped to make these deals possible.”

Maciulaitis, who has impressed during his spell with Loughgall, is looking forward to playing in the top flight again after a brief spell with Coleraine

“I am buzzing to come on board," he said.

"I want to get stuck in and help the team push up the table by bringing some goals. Stuart really convinced me that I would have a great opportunity here to continue my career in the Premiership.

“My previous spell in the top flight with Coleraine didn’t work out as I would’ve wanted, but that was a good experience as it humbled me.

"From there I had to move down a level and got my chance with Loughgall where I did well and now I am really looking forward to getting started at Carrick.”

Attacking midfielder Dupree, who has played for Portadown and Waterford in recent seasons is also looking forward to getting started with Carrick.

“I can’t wait to get started, once I heard Stuart (King) was interested I was very keen to come on board," he said.

“I am eager to show what I can do, having played in the Premiership previously as well as in the League of Ireland. The team is doing very well and hopefully I can add to that.”

Both players are in contention to face Portadown in the Danske Bank Premiership on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Aodhan Gillen and Peter McKiernan have joined Championship side Dundela.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.