Lee Bonis: Larne secure signature of Irish Prem's most wanted striker
Larne are celebrating after signing one of the Danske Bank Irish Premiership's most sought-after strikers.
Lee Bonis has put pen to paper on a long-term deal at Inver Park after leaving Portadown at the weekend.
The 22-year-old attracted a lot of interest as soon as the January transfer window opened.
As part of the deal, which could be one of the biggest in league history, teenager Matty Lusty moves to Shamrock Park.
Bonis made 87 appearances in total for Portadown, scoring 38 times during his two and half years under Mathew Tipton, leading to him being handed the captain’s armband at Shamrock Park.
He helped the club to promotion in his first season at the club, scoring on his debut in a 5-0 win over Knockbreda in August 2019.
Speaking on the club's website, Larne boss Tiernan Lynch said he was delighted to add to his attacking options with Lee’s arrival.
He said: “The big thing with Lee is we see real longevity in his potential.
“He’s a young lad who, at 22 years of age, has already got good experience under his belt and he will be coming into a full-time environment which we feel can only benefit him further.
“He will be working on his football everyday and there is all the stuff off the pitch, like his diet, nutrition and conditioning which can help progress.
“Lee brings us something totally different to what we already have at the club. We are extremely blessed to have the likes of Ronan Hale and Davy McDaid already here.
“So this isn’t about replacing the quality we already have, it’s about giving us a different dimension and with Lee’s physical presence and all around game that is what we are getting.
“It’s all about Lee coming in, settling into the group and adding to what we have at Inver Park and I’m delighted to have him on board.”
Bonis will wear the number 22 shirt at Inver Park.