Former Coleraine defender Kyle McVey joins Linfield

Linfield have announced the signing of former Coleraine central defender Kyle McVey on a one-year contract.

At the end of last season Coleraine revealed they were releasing the 27-year-old McVey, saying he had stalled on signing a new deal with them.

The Bannsiders said they had also planned to offer McVey a testimonial as had been with them for 10 years.

The signing is the latest in a string of acquisitions by Linfield as they seek to reclaim the Premiership title.

After three league and cup doubles in a row, David Jeffrey's men surrendered their league crown last April, finishing in third behind winners Cliftonville.

Linfield ended up a massive 29 points behind Cliftonville but, despite that, bookmakers have installed the Windsor Park men in their traditional slot as pre-season favourites to win the Gibson Cup.

Jeffrey's close-season signings have included Glentoran's top striker Andrew Waterworth, sought-after defender Mark Haughey from Glenavon and highly-rated young full-back Matthew Clarke who was released by Rangers.

International goalkeeper Jonathan Tuffey, Glentoran defender Sean Ward and Cliftonville midfielder James Knowles have also recently joined the Blues.