Crues renew contracts as club continues towards full-time model

Irish league champions Crusaders have agreed new contracts with senior squad members to reflect the club's transition towards a professional set-up.

Transfer target Gavin Whyte is among the major players to put pen to paper on a deal which reflect additional training sessions.

The senior squad will now train on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, in additional to the usual sessions on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Club captain Colin Coates has also signed a new, enhanced deal that runs until May 2020, alongside Howard Beverland, Michael Carvill and David Cushley.

10 other senior players have signed contracts until at least 2021, including Matthew Snoddy, Rodney Brown, Jordan Owens, Philip Lowry, Jordan Forsythe, Ross Clarke, Declan Caddell, Michael Ruddy, Billy Joe Burns and Kyle Owens.