GOALKEEPER Dwayne Nelson is the latest Ballymena United player to put pen to paper for next season after signing a new one-year contract.

Speculation had been ongoing throughout the summer as to how the goalkeeping situation would develop following the acquiston of Ryan Brown from Larne, but it turns out that Dwayne will be staying to fight for the number one jersey.

Nelson rejoined the Sky Blues from Dungannon Swifts last August, eight years after making his debut at the Showgrounds in 2001. He made 33 appearances last season, bringing his total to 76 games for the Braidmen during his two spells at the club.

This spells the end for Northern Ireland Under-21 'keeper Sean O'Neill at the Showgrounds.

The West Belfast goalkeeper made his debut in April 2007 but only made 22 appearances over four seasons of playing understudy to Paul Murphy, Alan Blayney and Dwayne Nelson.

A regular Steve Beaglehole's Northern Ireland Under-21 side, he started last season as first choice at the Showgrounds but failed to claim a regular place following the arrival of Dwayne Nelson.

Speaking at the club's AGM, manager Roy Walker informed shareholders of the constraints he has to work under;

"With the arrival of Ryan Brown and with Dwayne now re-signing, we cannot justify three goalkeepers on the books especially when working with a reduced budget for next season. We wish Sean well and have no doubt he'll find a new club soon."