BALLYMENA United have said they are delighted to announce the signing of striker David Parkhouse on a three year deal, pending international clearance.
The Strabane native joins from Derry City, having returned from playing in England earlier this year.
The 21 year old impressed as a youth player with Maiden City, earning a move across the water to Sheffield United and international call ups to the Northern Ireland U21's. He was also voted into the League of Ireland team of the year by his peers during a loan spell at the Brandywell.
Manager David Jeffrey was extremely pleased to bring Parkhouse to the Showgrounds:
“I'm absolutely delighted to be able to announce that we have signed David on a three year deal. Obviously he had time still left on his contract at Derry City, and also had plenty of other admirers, but he saw Ballymena United as an opportunity to play more regularly and a place that he will continue to learn and be well looked after in terms of his own career development.
“However, he is also fully aware of the principle of competition and that you have to earn a place in the team and continue to perform to keep that place. His ability is reflected in being voted into the League of Ireland team of the year.
“He is a young man who is very hungry to do well for himself and now for Ballymena, and in the conversations that we had, it was how other players have progressed whilst being here which was a big attraction to him joining.
“Negotiations were straightforward with both David and Derry City, we followed due process with the club, and then Bryan and myself met David, from then it was just about going through the normal processes.
“Whilst we're still awaiting international clearance, which should be a formality in the days ahead, clearly it's not news that we're going to be able to hold until later in the week given he'll begin training immediately and we look forward to seeing him integrate into the squad.”
David Parkhouse will take squad number 19 this season, and will be sponsored by BUFC Development Committee.