O'Donnell joins Ballymena as Boyle arrives at Coleraine
O'Donnell had been placed on the transfer list by Coleraine whilst Boyle has made a return to full-time football
- Published
Former Coleraine captain Stephen O'Donnell has signed for Irish Premiership rivals Ballymena United.
O'Donnell, who joined the Bannsiders in 2017, made 215 appearances and won the Irish Cup and League Cup during his seven-year spell at the club.
He joins Josh Carson and Aaron Jarvis in making the move from Coleraine to the Braidmen this summer.
Midfielder Dylan Boyle has moved in the other direction as part of the deal.
Boyle, a Northern Ireland under-21 international was with Fleetwood Town for five years before signing for Jim Ervin's side last summer and playing a key part in them retaining their Irish Premiership status.
He becomes Coleraine's fourth summer arrival after Cameron Stewart, Kyle McClelland and Kirk McLaughlin.
Speaking to the Coleraine club website, Boyle expressed his excitement at making the switch to the Bannsiders: "I’ve been speaking to Dean [Shiels] and Oran [Kearney] over the last couple of weeks and can’t wait to get started."
He continued: "I know there is such a big project going on here at the moment, and the club is looking forward with lots of ambition.
"Because of my personal ambitions, I think it will suit me perfectly. I was in a full-time setup at Fleetwood, so I’m excited to get back into full-time football."