Glentoran Football Club can confirm that Andrew Mills has signed a new 18-month contract, extending his stay at the BetMcLean Oval into his third season with the club.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper, whose previous deal was set to expire at the end of the current campaign, has been a consistent presence for the Glens this season, making 23 appearances including 22 starts.

Mills has now accumulated 30 appearances since joining the club in July 2024, following a decade-long career in Swedish football which included spells at Arnäs IF, Friska Viljor, IFK Östersund and Östersund FK.

The Merseyside-born shot-stopper kept a clean sheet on his Sports Direct Premiership debut against Portadown in December 2024 and played every minute of Glentoran’s County Antrim Shield-winning run in 2024/25.

Since arriving in east Belfast, Mills has established himself as a respected senior figure within the squad and a popular presence among supporters, recognised for his shot-stopping and distribution.

Speaking after signing his new contract with Glentoran, Andrew Mills said: “I’m really pleased to have extended my time at Glentoran and to be heading into a third season at the club. I feel very settled here, not just at the club but in east Belfast and in the city as a whole. I’ve loved getting to know the place and it’s somewhere I genuinely feel at home now.

“I’ve really enjoyed my football this season and  think the supporters have seen the best of me on a consistent and regular basis. My focus is simply on continuing to give everything I can for the supporters, for my teammates and for the coaching staff.

 “I have to give huge credit to Elliott Morris, a club goalkeeping legend and someone I work with every day. The detail he brings, the standards he sets and the work we do together to refine and improve my game have been invaluable and I have a lot to thank him for.

“Declan has also been a massive influence. Having been a goalkeeper himself, the insight, small details and improvements he’s helped me make have made a real difference to my game. The change he and his staff have brought since I arrived has been chalk and cheese. The professionalism, the standards and the environment are on a completely different level now, and I genuinely believe it’s only going to get better.

“Glentoran is a great club with a really strong group of players, all working incredibly hard for the coaching staff. There’s a lot still to play for this season and real belief within the group. We’re pushing hard to compete for silverware and everyone is fully focused on finishing the campaign strongly at a club that demands success.”

Declan Devine, Glentoran First Team Manager, said: “Andrew has been outstanding for us. Last season, he maybe didn’t play as much as he would have hoped, but this year he has shown his quality consistently over a sustained period. His performances have been of a very high standard and he has fully earned his place in the team on merit.

 “He brings experience, calmness and real authority to the squad and he’s been a key part of our defensive organisation. There have been a number of moments this season where Andrew has made big saves that have kept us in games or protected leads.

 “Andrew is a great lad, an excellent goalkeeper and thoroughly deserves this new contract. We want to keep our best players at this football club, and for me Andrew is without doubt one of the best goalkeepers in the league.”

Andrew Mills’ contract extension forms part of Declan Devine’s January planning at Glentoran, which has included the signings of Jack Malone from Glenavon and former Dungannon Swifts forward Ben Gallagher, following his return from Australia.

 The window has also seen Jonny Russell complete a permanent move to EFL League Two side Crawley Town, alongside David Fisher, who has joined Vietnamese V.League side Hanoi FC, with both transfers completed for undisclosed fees.

A number of loan departures have also taken place, with promising young goalkeeper Lorcan Donnelly joining Carrick Rangers on loan until the end of the season, while Charlie Lindsay and Nathaniel Ferris have moved to Glenavon on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Jude Johnson has joined NIFL Championship leaders Annagh United on loan until the end of the season, and Callan Farley has extended his loan spell with Warrenpoint Town until the end of the season.

Paul Millar, Sporting Director at Glentoran, said: “Securing Andrew Mills on a new contract was a key objective for us. He has been exceptional this season and his performances have consistently been of a very high standard. Retaining a goalkeeper of his calibre is hugely important for the club.

 “Andrew is a popular figure within the squad and among our supporters, but just as importantly he is hugely professional in how he approaches the game. He works meticulously every day and continues to benefit from working closely with Elliott Morris.

 “We were very clear on what we wanted to achieve in this window. Andrew’s extension forms part of our wider January planning, as we balance strengthening the squad, retaining our best players and developing young talent for the future of the club.

 “There is a lot still to play for this season and we want to give ourselves the best possible chance of being successful and competing for trophies, while continuing to build in the right way for the long term.”