Glentoran Football Club has announced that Josh Kelly has signed a new contract, extending his stay at The BetMcLean Oval until the end of the 2025/26 season.
The 26-year-old midfielder joined the Glens from Ballymena United in June 2023, having spent four seasons at the Showgrounds, captaining the Sky Blues to the Irish Cup Final in his final year
Kelly made 28 appearances during his debut season at The BetMcLean Oval and impressed throughout pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, quickly establishing himself as one of Declan Devine’s standout performers.
He started all three of Glentoran’s opening Sports Direct Premiership fixtures before suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the closing stages of a goalless draw against Coleraine, an injury that required surgery and prematurely curtailed his season.
Josh has worked tirelessly alongside the club’s medical and strength and conditioning teams throughout an intensive rehabilitation programme. His determination was rewarded when he returned to the matchday squad for Glentoran’s Sports Direct Premiership European play-off tie against Cliftonville at the end of the season.
He has already cut short his summer break to begin pre-season preparations ahead of the squad’s return in June, underlining his hunger to come back stronger and play a key role in the Glens’ 2025/26 campaign.
Speaking on his new contract, Josh Kelly said: “I’m absolutely delighted to commit my future to Glentoran. After a strong pre-season ahead of last season, I felt ready to push on and make a real impact. I was in great form, full of confidence and determined to play a big role, so to suffer an ACL injury was a devastating setback.
“At the time, I didn’t know if I’d play for Glentoran again, with my contract due to expire at the end of the season. But Declan Devine told me to focus on my recovery and promised my efforts would be recognised. True to his word, he’s shown incredible faith in me and this new deal gives me even more motivation to push on and come back stronger than ever.
“Being sidelined for so long has been mentally tough, but the support from Declan, the coaching staff, my teammates, and everyone at the club has been phenomenal. Making the bench for the European play-off was a major milestone in my recovery.
“I’ve already started my pre-season training ahead of the group’s return in a few weeks because I want to be in the best possible shape to hit the ground running and make a real impact next season.”
Declan Devine, Glentoran’s First Team Manager said: “Josh was outstanding in pre-season ahead of last season, showing incredible attitude and determination to earn his place in the starting eleven. His performances in the opening three games, playing at right back, were exceptional and his injury was a huge blow, not just for him personally but for the entire squad.
“Football can be cruel, but Josh has never let his head drop. His work ethic throughout his rehabilitation has been outstanding. He’s consistently one of the first to arrive at training and one of the last to leave. We’ve even had to hold him back at times, that’s how determined he’s been to push himself every day to get back on the pitch as quickly as possible.”
“This new contract is a reward for his professionalism, but more importantly, it’s a reflection of the belief I have in what he can bring to the team next season. Once he’s back to full fitness and match sharpness, I’ve no doubt he’ll be a major asset for us.”
Kelly becomes the latest senior player to commit his future to Glentoran, as manager Declan Devine continues to shape his squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The club has already made early moves in the transfer market, strengthening attacking options with the signing of Scottish midfielder Liam Burt and the return of forward Jordan Stewart.
Paul Millar, Glentoran’s Sporting Director added: “Josh is a model professional and a fantastic character to have around the squad. He’s constantly striving to improve and has the football intelligence and versatility to play multiple roles when required, exactly the type of player we want at Glentoran as we continue building for success.”
“His attitude and commitment throughout this injury layoff have been exceptional and he fully deserves this new deal. We’re all looking forward to seeing him back in action and making a real impact as we prepare for the new season.”
