We’re delighted to confirm that Institute midfielder Niall Grace has tonight signed a three year deal to join Glenavon.

Speaking to the website after he put pen to paper on his contract Niall, who made the Championship Team of the Year at the recent NIFL Football Awards Dinner, told us “I feel brilliant. Obviously Glenavon is a massive club and it’s a big step up for me but I’m really looking forward to getting started now.”

Institute of course recently won promotion to the Dankse Bank Premiership so did Niall have any regrets about leaving them? “I had a great three years at Institute and we had a few heartbreaks, losing in the play-offs so I feel better about leaving because they’re going to be in the Premiership as well and I’m looking forward to playing against the boys too!

“Once I got the call from Gary and he expressed his interest I was sold then and I came up and had a look about and had a good chat with him and I was well on board. To play in Europe will be some experience and one that other players won’t get so that was definitely part of the pull for Glenavon but with Glenavon challenging for trophies year in and year out I want to be a part of that.”