Mystery player set to sign for the Blues

A MYSTERY former full-time footballer is set to sign for Glenavon this week for FREE.

The un-named player, who was at Blackburn Rovers at the same time as Blues gaffer Gary Hamilton between 1997 and 2000, has contacted his former team-mate to offer his services free of charge until the end of the season.

Since playing with Hamilton, the player has had significant full-time experience, eight years in England and a further seven in Australia. The deal is yet to be finalised, however Hamilton hoped to have him on board before this weekend’s league game against Coleraine.

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“There is a player that we might be bringing in this week,” Hamilton told the ‘MAIL.’

“If he does come over, he’ll be playing for free from now until the end of the season. He’s doing me a turn as a friend and it’s a good situation for Glenavon because it’s not going to cost the club anything.

“All they have to do is pay his flights and if he’s not doing it then we don’t have to fly him in. At the same time, it’s a player who has played full-time football for 14 years so it’s a no-brainer in my eyes.

“He offered me his services and said that if he could manage to work it between his work and coaching, he would come over and play. The board, myself, Packie and Nigel acted on that and we’ve all decided that it’s worth it because it’s a win-win situation.

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“Hopefully by the end of the week we’ll at least have somebody over training with us with a view to signing for nothing.”

Weekend reports had claimed that former Blackburn, Derby and Bolton hard-man Andy Todd was the mystery signing, as well as quoting the Glenavon gaffer as stating he was about the to make the “biggest” signing in Glenavon’s history.

However Hamilton has quashed both rumours and says he won’t name his man until the contract has been signed.

“I never mentioned Andy Todd at any stage. Where it was picked up from I do not know. I’ll not be naming anyone until the deal’s done. I wouldn’t do that because the player has to tell me if he’s definitely coming. 100% it’s not Andy Todd though.

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“There’s talk of me saying that he’s the best signing Glenavon have ever made but again I didn’t say that. Those quotes have been taken out of context altogether. I said it’s a big signing for Glenavon in terms of the clubs that he’s played for but you’re never going to be able to say that it’s the biggest signing Glenavon have ever made.

“I don’t want people building their hopes up that it’s somebody who has played 200 Premier League games because that’s not the situation.”

The gaffer also told the ‘MAIL’ that it is likely to be the final signing he makes during this transfer window:

“As it is, there’s no budget left whatsoever. The only players that we will be signing is anybody who wants to play for the club for free, unless we can get another player out or the situation changes with (Kevin) Kelbie.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Kyle Cherry last week joined the club on loan from Glentoran, making his debut on Saturday and Hamilton says that the move is also a cost-effective one for the club.