Defender Whiteside returns to Ballymena from Blues

Defender Scot Whiteside has become the latest player to sign for Ballymena United, following on from confirmation in recent days that Chris McKee and Miceal Glynn had been snapped up by the Sky Blues. Whiteside joins the Braidmen following the expiration of his contract with Linfield. The 29-year-old spent six years on Warden Street from 2018 to 2024, making 134 appearances in total. He was a regular member of the side that finished second in the league in the 2018-19 campaign under then manager David Jeffrey and also lined out in two Irish Cup finals for United, missing out on a third through injury. During his two-year spell at Linfield, Whiteside picked up a league winners' medal, as well as being part of the BetMcLean Cup winning squad last season. Before his first spell at United, Whiteside played in the Rangers Youth set-up, as well as having a loan period at Coleraine, before eventually joining United for from Derry City. "Once I heard the plans here on and off the pitch, it was an easy decision," Whiteside told the club's media channels. "This is such a family-oriented club and I'm so excited to get back. There's a real freshness about the place this time round and hopefully with the experience I've gained at Linfield, I can offer so much more." Ballymena manager Oran Kearney commented: "Ballymena United was very good for Scot in his first time here, as he was for the club and he's at a good age now where he wants to be racking up appearances and this is a great opportunity to write his second chapter here." "I'm very big on creating a local identity for this club and Scot's been about this area for a long time and knows what it's about. David Healy spoke very highly of him and how he conducted himself at Linfield, but now is a good time to have him back here."