Glentoran Football Club can confirm that Josh Kelly has signed a new contract with the club and has joined Cliftonville on loan until the end of the season.

The 26-year-old has committed his future to The BetMcLean Oval, with the loan move designed to provide the versatile midfielder, who can also operate at right back and centre back, with regular first-team football in the Sports Direct Premiership.

Kelly 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

He has made 46 appearances for the Glens, featuring 18 times during the current campaign and scoring once.

Kelly suffered an injury in the 1–1 draw against Bangor in November and returned to the Glentoran matchday squad in the 2–0 victory over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park on Saturday 31st January.

The temporary move to Solitude will allow Kelly to play regularly following a period in which he missed the majority of the 2024/25 season after sustaining a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Josh Kelly said: “I’m really pleased to have signed a new contract with Glentoran. After a challenging period where I missed the majority of last season through injury, I played a lot of football at the start of this season and felt I was building good momentum before suffering another significant setback. Now that I’m back fit, my focus is on playing regularly, building match sharpness and getting back to my best.

“This loan move to Cliftonville, a really good club competing for a top-six place, gives me the opportunity to earn regular minutes in a competitive set-up. I really appreciate the opportunity Declan has given me and I’m grateful to Jim Magilton for his interest in bringing me to Solitude.

“My focus is on working hard, contributing on the pitch and helping the team cement a top-six finish, before returning to The BetMcLean Oval in the summer determined to fight for my place.”

Declan Devine, Glentoran First Team Manager, said: “It was important for us to secure Josh to a new contract before sending him out on loan because we see him as an important part of this football club going forward.

“He’s been very unfortunate with injuries and the setback he suffered in November was a cruel blow at a time when he was starting to get back to his best and build real momentum again, having missed the majority of the previous season.

“This loan move will do him the world of good. It gives him the opportunity to play regular minutes for a very competitive side and to do so under a top manager in Jim Magilton.

“Josh is a total professional who does everything the right way and looks after himself properly. He deserves to be playing regularly and this move gives him that opportunity.

“The plan is for Josh to return in the summer having built match sharpness and we’re looking forward to welcoming him back having played consistently for the remainder of the season.”