BALLYMENA United manager has secured his first signing of the summer in Ballymoney United defender, Mark Surgenor.

23-year-old Surgenor (right) has impressed many onlookers in the IFA Championship with his performances in the centre of the Ballymoney defence; which earned him a place in the Northern Ireland Junior International side this season.

The Ballymena native though has spent the majority of his career as a forward whilst working his way up the Irish League ladder with Raceview and Chimney Corner, before becoming an accomplished centre-half under former Ballymena coach Joe McCall at the Riada Stadium.

Mark signs a one year deal with the Sky Blues with an option to a further year. A shrewd piece of business by boss Roy Walker, with at least two other IFA Premiership club's interested in the local lad.

"I'm pleased to finally get Mark signed, as we had spoken in January and since then Crusaders had also spoken to him - but Mark only wanted to sign for Ballymena United.

"He's been signed as a first-team player who will be part of my plans for next season, as I want to bring in hungry young players who want to play for this football club." said Walker.

A number of young players also put pen to paper this evening at the Showgrounds as Paul McNeill and George Young both signed new one year-contracts at the Showgrounds. Whilst teenage full-back Michael Smith signed a one-year extension on his current contract, which will take him up until the end of the 2010/2011 season.

Walker will attempt to finalise deals with a number of the younger players in the coming days, with negotiations continuing with Ryan Deans and Aaron Stewart. He will also sit down with club captain Gary Haveron at the first suitable opportunity, with the view to finalising a new contract.