Glenavon FC is delighted to confirm the double signing of both Paddy McCourt and Guy Bates, each on one year contracts.

NI International McCourt, 32, started his professional career with English Football League side Rochdale in 2001 before moving to League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers in 2005. Later that year he moved to his home-town club, Derry City before moving to Glasgow Celtic where he spent five seasons. He then had spells at Barnsley, Brighton and a loan spell at Notts County before signing a two year deal at Luton Town. He has returned to Northern Ireland for family reasons.

30-year old striker Bates needs no introduction to the Glenavon faithful, having signed for the Club at the start of the 2012-13 season before moving to Australia to take up a job in the family business shortly after the start of the 2014-15 season.

While his move to Linfield after he returned to Ireland for the 2015-16 season didn’t go down too well with some of the Glenavon fans, the big striker is looking forward to making a fresh start and he knows he has to prove himself all over again. In his previous spell at Mourneview he made 83 appearances and scored 34 goals.

Photo courtesy Lurgan Mail

Guy Bates, Gary Hamilton and Paddy McCourt pictured at Mourneview Park before heading off to training. Photo courtesy Lurgan Mail