Carrick Rangers boss Stuart King believes the signing of experienced Irish League striker Curtis Allen is a “statement of intent” by the East Antrim club.
Allen has joined the Amber Army on a two year deal after parting company with Coleraine where he spent the past two and a half years.
The 34-year-old struggled for regular game time at the Showgrounds, but brings a wealth of experience to the Rangers dressing room.
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King said: “Curtis has been a proven goal scorer in the Irish League for a long time now and it’s what we’ve been crying out for.
“Players with a track record of scoring goals are hard to find so for us to recruit a player like Curtis is massive for the club.
“To get the signing over the line so early is very pleasing and it’s a statement of our intent. It shows the type of player we are able to attract here.”
Allen, who also had spells with Distillery, Inverness and Bournemouth, has scored 224 goals in 517 games across all competitions in the Irish League.
And the seasoned frontman believes he still has plenty to offer after putting pen-to-paper at the Loughview Leisure Arena.
He said: “Having spoken to Stuart and (chairman) Peter (Clarke) I am excited to start a new chapter in my career as a Carrick Rangers player.
"I am looking forward to bringing some experience to the team and hopefully I can provide plenty of goals.
“After coming to the end of my contract at Coleraine I had to re-evaluate where I was personally in my own career and what I was wanting to get out of it.
“The conversations I have had with Carrick really sold the club to me and I feel I can come here and bring lots to the team both on-and-off the pitch.”
Allen becomes the second addition of the off-season at Carrick after versatile Glentoran striker Cameron Stewart agreed a pre-contract with the club in January.
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