Drogheda United are delighted to announce the signing of defender Conor Keeley from Ballymena United.

The 25-year-old scored the equaliser on his final appearance for David Jeffrey’s side against Carrick Rangers in the Irish Cup on Saturday, finding the top corner to send the game to extra-time, with Ballymena winning on penalties.

The centre-half spent four seasons at Cabinteely prior to his move to Ballymena, where he made over 75 appearances for the club, before joining Ballymena in January 2021.

Keeley is the fifth new addition to Kevin Doherty’s squad for 2023, joining Sean Brennan, Aaron McNally, Michael Leddy (loan from Shamrock Rovers), and Ben Curtis.

“I had two great years at Ballymena and met some really good people but I’m delighted to be here now and I can’t wait to get going. It’s a short turn around now until the start of the season.

“Every year the league is getting stronger and stronger. It’s building every year and it’s going to get more difficult, the teams are improving in every position but we’ve a really good squad here.

“We’re hoping to push on as high as we can in the league and hopefully get a good cup run going,” Keeley said.

Keeley had played for Shelbourne at underage level and was handed his senior debut by Kevin Doherty in the final game of the 2015 season, before making a further ten appearances in 2016.

“He’s a player I’ve really liked. I gave him his debut as Shelbourne, he had a good couple of years at Cabinteely and the move to Ballymena done wonders for him. He matured greatly. He’s a really dominant centre-half and that’s something we really needed to strengthen and I think Conor will do that.

“I think he’ll be a massive addition for us. I would like to thank Ballymena aswell in how they dealt with it, they were very professional.  Conor was a key man for them and I’m delighted he’s now a Drogheda United player,” Doherty said.