FOOTBALL: Danny Purkis completes move to Carrick Rangers
The striker moves from Glentoran on a three-year deal
Danny Purkis has signed for Sports Direct Irish Premiership side Carrick Rangers on a three-year deal.
The 28-year-old striker joins from Glentoran, becoming the fifth summer arrival to the Loughview Leisure Arena.
Purkis’ Irish League journey started at The Oval where, in March 2014, he scored on his league debut against Ballymena United at the age of 18.
His promise was rewarded by the Glens with a two-year contract which saw him continue his development there the following season before joining Ards on loan in the summer of 2015.
Notably, he fired the Championship side past Coleraine and into the League Cup final with a brace in normal time ahead of netting the winning penalty in the shootout.
Following his departure from Glentoran, Purkis had spells at H&W Welders and Abbey Villa before joining East Belfast where his prolific goalscoring form over a number of seasons resulted in a move to Glenavon where he finished top scorer in his first full season, netting a total of 15 goals.
After briefly moving back to East Belfast, Purkis then returned to Glentoran last season where he scored 13 times across the campaign.
On becoming a Carrick Rangers player, Purkis said, “I am absolutely delighted to sign for Carrick. Stuart and I have always had a lot of respect for each other, I had a great conversation with him and the Chairman and they sold the club to me really well with their plans going forward both on-and-off the pitch. I can’t wait to get going now and play as many games as possible for Carrick this season.”
Manager Stuart King is thrilled to bolster his attacking options.
“Danny is someone we have tried to bring to the club since I have been in charge and his record last year, considering his actual game time, was up there with the best in the league," he said.
"He is a proven goalscorer at this level and with his personal circumstances preventing him from continuing in full-time football, it was an ideal opportunity to bring him in.
“From our conversations over the past week or so it was clear that he wanted to come and add to our team. His signing is another massive statement of intent from our Club in terms of our ambitions and the Board deserves immense credit for their support to my staff and I.”
Purkis will wear the number 24 jersey for the ‘Gers.