BALLYMENA United have secured their first signing of the January transfer window - as defender Paul Muir returns to Warden Street from Lisburn Distillery.

Ballymena native, Paul, has signed an 18-month contract with the Sky Blues after joining from Distillery last night for an undisclosed fee almost ten years after leaving the club.

Muir made his first team debut in April 1995, in a 3-0 defeat to Bangor and quickly established himself as a vital utility player under Alan Fraser, making 171 appearances and scoring 5 goals in six seasons at the Showgrounds.

Nigel Best came in as manager and Paul was allowed to join Crusaders in 1999, where he spent three and a half seasons at Seaview, playing 100+ games for the Hatchetmen, coupled with a loan spell to New Zealand outfit Southland Spirit in the summer of 2001; before being snapped up by Paul Kirk at Lisburn Distillery during the summer of 2003.

At Distillery, Paul began an accomplished Irish League centre-half and was a key member of the Whites' progression during his five and a half seasons at New Grosvenor - participating in European competition twice over the years.

"I am pleased on three fronts. Firstly Paul is a proven player in the Premiership and has considerable experience," Roy Walker told the Newsletter.

"He is a local lad which is particularly pleasing. Paul is from the area so it's perfect, and that's something I feel is important for a club like Ballymena.

"Also he is readily available to be included in the squad, so it's a good signing."

''We have struggled recently because of the injuries, and I have had to use quite a few young players.

"I thought Saturday's defeat to Cliftonville highlighted the need for new faces at the club," Walker added.

"Paul realises this is a challenge for him. It isn't easy playing for your local club, but he is relishing it. It takes character and Paul has that in abundance, and he has. a great desire to play for Ballymena."

The deal itself for Paul Muir would not have been possible without the financial aid of SkyBlueDirect - the voluntary fund to help strengthen the squad, with previous investments such as Kevin Kelbie and Gavin Melaugh.