As planning and preparation for the 2024/25 season ramps up, Glentoran FC is delighted to announce the following players have signed new contracts with the club.
Marcus Kane: Skipper and our longest serving senior player Moko has signed a one-year contact for what will be his 13th season with the club. A season where he’ll be adding to his 407 appearances.
Manager Declan Devine said of his captain: “I felt it was really important to keep Marcus at the club. He understands the values of the club and what’s expected from players at a club like Glentoran. We’re now looking at Moko in the later stages of his career and while we still want an impact on the pitch from him but given that we need some new players and also given the youthfulness of many of our current players we want Moko to take on a mentorship role and also over the course of the next couple of years move him into coaching at Glentoran. He can have a huge impact on the continued development of players like Aaron Wightman, Jonny Russell and so many others. He’s as important this club as he ever was.”
Patrick McClean: Paddy has signed a one-year extension to his contract and is now committed until the end of the 2025/26 season. That will be his 7th season here.
Declan: “Paddy is obviously a player I know very well. I signed him for Derry City from Sligo and I’ve watched his career here at the Oval where he’s done well and is clearly a very popular player. People don’t know the sacrifices Paddy has made to play for the Glens. For big chunks of last season he was getting the train at 5 in the morning to make sure he was at training for 9am. Paddy was young when he first came here but he’s a very experienced Irish League player now. He knows the pressures that go with playing for a big club. At the end of last season he was one who didn't let us down during a very disappointing period. He’s a first teamer I knew I could rely on because he cares. He really loves this club. Plus Paddy is a superb athlete and I’m looking to have an outstanding season from him.”
Aaron Wightman: Aaron, who just turned 20 in March, joined the Glentoran Academy when he was 6 years old. He has signed on for another 2 years. Definitely one of our own.
Declan: “Aaron was one of the first pieces of business I wanted to get done when I came in. I’ve known him for such a long time through the IFA and he’s a young player with huge potential. There were rumours he was thinking of leaving as other clubs were buzzing around, but you don’t develop a player from he’s 6 only to lose him when he’s ready to really contribute. Aaron is a Glenman who with the right care and attention and the right focus from Aaron he can have a fantastic season and really excite our fans. He knows how highly I feel about him and how we can continue to develop him I’m delighted for Aaron and delighted for the club that such an exciting young player has decided to stay with us.”
Cameron Palmer: Midfielder Cammy, who recovered from an operation to start the last 2 games of his first season at the Bet McLean Oval, has agreed to another year with Glentoran.
Declan: “Cammy has always impressed me when I’ve seen him over the past couple of years. He’s had a tough year with injuries but even in the couple of cameos he had at the end of the season you could easily see his quality. Even though he’s still a young player he’s had great experiences at Rangers and here in the Irish League and I think we can use that to help us move on this year. He’s a player who’s easy on the eye and one of the best professionals at the club in the way he goes about his job every day. He’s another player I’m looking forward to working with and getting the best of a fit and enthusiastic Cammy Palmer.”
Jordan Jenkins: Jordan returned from his loan season with Dundela after scoring 24 goals in 30 games and winning the NIPFA Championship Player of the Year as the league’s joint top scorer. Jordan has agreed a new *year contract with us.
Declan: “JJ is someone I’ve known about and he was training with us towards the end of the season. He had some significant senior clubs sniffing around him this season but I wanted him here because his year playing every week and doing very well in a good Dundela team has really added a level of experience and maturity to him now. I think he’s at a stage where he can really develop under a manager who believes in him and gives him an opportunity. He’s at an age now where I think he knows what it takes to push on to become a success at this level. I know he’s got the willingness and determination and he’s got the willingness to put in the hard work necessary. Plus he’s a superb finisher. There’s going to be a lot of competition for the centre forward places next season as I’m looking to bring another one in, but I’m delighted to have tied JJ down to a 2-year deal.”
Watch out here and on our social platforms for more player news in the coming days.