Portadown have announced the signing of Paul McElroy after Ballymena United accepted an undisclosed fee for the striker.
The 28-year-old - who has scored one goal in nine Premiership appearances this season - returns to Shamrock Park for a scond spell after spending six months with the Mid-Ulster club back in 2015.
Ports manager Niall Currie told the club's website: "Firstly I’d like to thank the board. We’re in a very difficult situation with still having a lot of players at the club who’ve been told they won’t be playing much football and have been transfer listed and while the club are still paying those wages they’ve allowed me and my staff to go and pursue what we think is a top top striker in Paul McElroy.
Read more: Carrick Rangers vs Cliftonville TV and live stream info for Friday's game
"We’ve been chasing Paul now for quite a few weeks and again a massive thank you to the board who’ve came to an agreement with Ballymena Utd and have got everything over the line this morning and I’m over the moon to have him available for tomorrow's game against Coleraine.
"This isn’t the silver bullet but it’s certainly a signing of huge proportions for us in regards to his quality. He’s been Ballymena’s top scorer the past two seasons, has pedigree and is at a great age now where he’s coming into his prime.
"Again, a massive massive thank-you to the board and everyone involved for allowing us to pursue this, it was a big one for the club and we have him over the line now and we can’t thank them enough.
"Hopefully our supporters can see what we’re trying to do and we genuinely think Paul will give us this added extra dimension. He’s got pace, he’s got strength and he can finish.
"Fingers crossed he can hit the ground running and will be involved tomorrow, as I say he’s not the silver bullet but we’re working hard in the background to get more things done.
"A huge thank-you again to the board from me personally and thank you to Paul for taking this leap of faith with us in the situation we’re in but it shows me how big this club still is and how highly regarded it is around Northern Ireland that we can still attract this calibre of player."
READ NEXT:
- That's What I Call Football podcast S5 Ep13
Frustrated Linfield boss Healy critical of first-half display at Solitude
Cliftonville announce Parkhouse loan as Crusaders put striker on transfer list
Irish Premiership recap as Cliftonville hit top spot with win over Linfield
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
