With his existing contract due to expire at the end of the season Albert's future had been the subject of intense speculation with a number of clubs, including league champions Linfield, expressing an interest in the highly rated 22-year-old.

However Sky Blue fans everywhere will be both overjoyed and relieved that the U21 and U23 capped defender will be staying with them until the end of the 2010/11 season.

Manager Tommy Wright is equally delighted at the news.

"I'm thrilled Albert is staying with us," said the boss who himself recently pledged his future to the club.

"Albert has shown great loyalty to everyone at the Ballymena United and acknowledges the role the club have played in his development as a player.

"He's also an honest lad who sees his priority as getting regular first team football and has been upfront with myself all the way through this process."

And Tommy went on to pay tribute to the board for the role they played in securing Albert's services for another two years.

"I'm delighted in the backing I have received from the board. Gone are the days when Ballymena United were a selling club, we are now in a position to hold onto the talent we have at our disposal and with Gavin McDonnell already signed on a pre-contract there is a definite determination from the very top and right throughout that this is a club that is going places."