Glentoran Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Nathaniel Ferris from Loughgall for an undisclosed fee.
The highly regarded forward has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal, committing his future to the BetMcLean Oval until the end of the 2027/28 season.
The 26-year-old Magheralin native arrives in East Belfast with a wealth of experience and a proven goal-scoring pedigree, departing Lakeview Park as Loughgall’s top goalscorer of the 21st century.
Nathaniel Ferris made 184 appearances for the Villagers, netting 74 goals and providing 11 assists. His career also includes stints with Dungannon Swifts, Annagh United and Portadown.
He was instrumental in Loughgall’s Championship-winning campaign in 2022/23, before impressing in his debut season in the Sports Direct Premiership, where he netted 15 league goals in 2023/24.
Ferris has registered six goals and two assists in 23 appearances so far this season, including a well-taken strike against Glentoran in last weekend’s fixture at Lakeview Park.
Nathaniel Ferris becomes Glentoran’s fifth signing of the January transfer window, joining Christie Pattisson, Shane McEleney, Ciarán Coll and Joe Thomson at the BetMcLean Oval.
Speaking about his move to Glentoran, Nathaniel Ferris said: “I’m absolutely delighted to join Glentoran. It’s a massive club, and when a team of this size comes calling, it’s hard to say no.
“Loughgall has been fantastic to me throughout my career and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time there, but I’m an ambitious player and I felt this was the perfect moment to take the next step and join one of the top sides in the Sports Direct Premiership.
“Declan and his coaching staff have the team playing exciting, high-intensity football with a never-say-die attitude. The squad is in excellent form, having already secured the County Antrim Shield, competing for two more trophies, and pushing hard for European qualification.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the club and I can’t wait to get started. I’m ready to fight for my place, contribute to the team, and help the squad challenge for league titles and achieve even more success.”
Declan Devine, First Team Manager at Glentoran said: “Nathaniel is a player who has impressed us for some time and we’ve been tracking his progress closely, so we’re thrilled to welcome him to the BetMcLean Oval. He brings a new dimension to our forward line and perfectly complements the talent we already have in the squad.
“Nathaniel is an outstanding fit for Glentoran. He’s a proven goal-scorer with invaluable experience and a relentless determination to succeed at the highest level of the local game. This signing is a testament to our ambition to continually strengthen the team with players who possess the hunger, drive and ambition to achieve success for the club."
Paul Millar, Sporting Director at Glentoran added: “We’re thrilled to secure Nathaniel’s signature and bring him to Glentoran. His hunger and ambition to test himself at one of the top clubs in the league was evident from our very first conversation and that kind of determination is exactly what we look for in a player.
“Nathaniel is a proven goal scorer and players with his natural instinct and calibre are incredibly hard to find. We are confident we’ve secured one of the top strikers in the Sports Direct Premiership. He will be a key asset for the club as we continue to challenge for success on all fronts and build a squad capable of competing at the highest level.”
