BALLYMENA United have secured the services of former Northern Ireland international, Andy Smith on a two-year contract.

"It is a very positive piece of business for this club, he brings experience, enthusiasm and quality to the table. I am confident he will prove a very good signing for Ballymena." said the Ballymena manager.

The prolonged transfer negotiations came to a conclusion at traning on Thursday night when 28-year-old Smith signed for the Braidmen to become Roy Walker sixth signing of the summer.

The owner of 18-caps for his country, Lisburn native Smith has had a troubled career in football, but has regularly proved that he can score goals in the Irish League.

He began his career in England with Sheffield United as a trainee before returning home to Northern Ireland firstly with Glenavon then Glentoran in 2002. He earned his reputation as a potent striker at the East Belfast Glens, firing them to the League title in 2003.

His form at the Oval earned him both a call-up to the International side and also a move back to England with Preston North End in 2004. However after a unsuccessful spell in England which included a number of loan spells and also a short stint at Bristol City, Andy returned home in 2007.

He joined Ronnie McFall's Portadown side in 2007 but did not play the majority of the last campaign as Portadown failed to gain entry into the newly established IFA Premiership and were forced to play in the IFA Championship.

Smith trained with his new team-mates on Thursday night and is likely to play some part in United's pre-season opener against Dunmurry Rec. on Saturday afternoon (2.30pm kick-off).