WINGER Stuart King has signed for Premiership rivals Glenavon and is now the sixth player to leave the club since the end of the season.

Manager Roy Walker was furious after King had gone back on his word regarding a new contract at Ballymena.

"We had improved the terms of Stuart's current contract. We shook hands on a deal but he now tells me other clubs have offered more money.

"It shouldn't ever be all about money. It should be about wanting to play and feeling valued where you are.

"I have to find another Stuart King - a young, hungry player who wants to play for Ballymena – and I'm determined to get that.

King was unveiled at Mourneview Park last night after signing a two-year contract with Marty Quinn's Lurgan Blues. The winger had joined the club in 2005 from Linfield and despite struggling for form during his time at United, found his feet under Roy Walker, and had been appointed captain during the Christmas period before breaking his ankle in the Boxing Day clash with Coleraine.

During his four seasons at Ballymena United, he accumulated a total of 109 appearances scoring 11 times.

Meanwhile, last season's leading goalscorer Neil Teggart has also made the move to Mid-Ulster, signing a three-year-contract with newly promoted Portadown.

Teggart, suffered an injury plagued season at the Showgrounds, making only 26 appearances – however with an impressive 12 goal return after joining from Amateur League side Kilmore Rec. These injury concerns led to the decision not to renew the Ardglass striker's contract.

Goalkeeper, Alan Blayney, admitted at the Seven Towers SC Dinner that he will be leaving the club as he attempts to return to full-time football. Blayney, a former Northern Ireland international, won the Players' Player of the Year award this season and produced some remarkable displays in his 38 appearances for the club.

Midfielder Gavin Melaugh also has been released by the club after two and a half years at the club after his move from Donegal Celtic in January 2007. The club’s Player of the Year in 2008, Gavin suffered a dip in form last season and will seek pastures new away from the Showgrounds after making 73 appearances, scoring four times during his spell at the Braid.

Completing the half-dozen players going through the exit doors of Warden Street are fringe players Liam Mullan and Thomas Burke. Mullan, signed from Larne by Tommy Wright two years ago, made 12 appearances in the United midfield, scoring once against Bangor last season. While Thomas Burke, the young full-back signed from Derry City last September, struggled to break into the first team, making only three first team appearances.

This will likely not be the end of the departures at Ballymena during the summer months, as Roy Walker previously another transfer-listed seven of his first-team squad.

Albert Watson, Gavin McDonnell, Craig McClean, Joe McDonnell, Davitt Walsh, Mark Picking and Michael Ward have all been told they aren’t in the manager’s plans for the new season .