Crusaders agree new deals with 22 players

NIFL Danske Bank Premiership champions Crusaders FC revealed that they have agreed terms with 22 players for new deals at the club.

After securing the league title in dramatic fashion on the final day of the season with a last gasp win over Ballymena United, the Crues have moved quickly to tie down their star men for more years of service at Seaview.

Last season, along with winning the league title, the Crues scored a mammoth 106 goals in 38 games as they secured the title at the hands of Coleraine in May.

That league title success secured Champions League football for the Crues who face a daunting challenge in Bulgarian side FC Ludogorets on Wednesday evening in Eastern Europe. 

In anticipation of their big away day on Tuesday, the club have announced new and improved deals for many of their players ahead of the upcoming 2018/19 season.

The quartet of Matthew Donnelly, Mark McChrystal, Jamie Glackin and Gavin Whyte have all agreed new enhanced professional contracts to reflect the additional training sessions associated with the club’s strategic development at Seaview.

Club captain Colin Coates, Gary Thompson, Ryan Nimmick, Howard Beverland, Michael Carvill and David Cushley have all also secured enhanced, and extended deals, reflecting their added commitment at the club until May 2020.

In addition to this, goalkeeper Sean O'Neill, Harry Doherty, Matthew Snoddy, Rodney Brown, Jordan Owens, Philip Lowry, Jordan Forsythe, Ross Clarke, Declan Caddell, Michael Ruddy, Billy Joe Burns and Kyle Owens have signed enhanced contracts reflecting the additional sessions until the end of the 2020/21 season at Seaview.