Irish Premiership: Carrick snap up striker Allen

The 34-year-old joins on a two-year deal

Curtis Allen has joined Carrick Rangers from Coleraine.
Author: Gareth McCulloughPublished 12th May 2022

Carrick Rangers have signed striker Curtis Allen on a two-year deal.

Allen arrives at the Loughview Leisure Arena on the conclusion of his contract with Coleraine. The 34-year-old has won the Gibson Cup, Irish Cup and League Cup during his career, scoring 224 goals in 517 games across all competitions.

“It’s great to sign for the club," said Allen.

"Having spoken to Stuart (King) and Peter (Clarke), I am excited to start a new chapter in my career as a Carrick Rangers player. I am looking forward to bringing some experience to the team and hopefully I can provide plenty of goals."

"After coming to the end of my contract at Coleraine, I have had to re-evaluate where I was personally in my own career and what I was wanting to get out of it. The conversations I have had with Carrick have really sold the club to me and I feel I can come here and bring lots to the team both on-and-off the pitch.”

Allen becomes Rangers’ second summer addition, joining Cameron Stewart who agreed a pre-contract in January.

Allen began his Irish League journey with spells at Lisburn Distillery, Linfield, and Coleraine, each lasting two seasons.

He then moved to Inverness Caldeonian Thistle, but having struggled with an injury picked up in pre-season, departed six months later to sign for Glentoran in January 2014.

All smiles for Curtis Allen on his move to Carrick

Spending six years at The Oval, he re-joined Coleraine at the start of 2020 where he has remained since.

Carrick Rangers Manager Stuart King added, "I am absolutely delighted to get Curtis in. He has been a proven goalscorer in the Irish League for a long time now, which is what we have been crying out for. Players with a track record of scoring goals are hard to find so for us to recruit a player like Curtis is massive for the club.

"To get the signing over the line so early is very pleasing, it’s a statement of our intent and shows the type of player we are able to attract to the club.”