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Burns and Lecky Carrick after Crues departures

Billy Joe Burns and Adam LeckyInpho

Burns and Lecky worked under Carrick boss Stephen Baxter at Crusaders

Defender Billy Joe Burns and forward Adam Lecky will both Carrick Rangers upon the expiration of their contracts with Crusaders.

Former Crues captain Burns spent 11 years with the Seaview club, making 423 appearances and scoring 33 goals after g in 2014.

He played a key role in helping the club secure three Irish Premiership titles, three Irish Cup victories and two County Antrim Shield triumphs.

Before that, Burns spent eight years at Linfield where he also won three Premiership titles and three Irish Cups.

Thirty-four-year-old striker Lecky arrives at Taylors Avenue after six seasons with the Crues.

He scored 34 goals in 162 appearances for the north Belfast side and previously had spells at Ballymena United, Dergview and Ballinamallard.

Both players will be reunited with former Crues boss Stephen Baxter at Taylors Avenue, something that Burns said attracted him to the club.

"I've worked with Stephen for so long, he knows a lot about me, I know a lot about him, so that was quite simple," he told the club's website.

"I've spoken with players who have been here before and everyone has had nice things to say, so it was quite an easy decision.

"I'm excited for a fresh challenge, something new after a long period at Crusaders, I can't wait to get started."

Lecky added: "I'm looking forward to it being a fresh start and getting going during pre-season. There's a lot of quality in the squad. I don't see why we can't push up to get sixth or seventh spot as well as targeting the cups."

The two players follow another former Crusaders midfielder Aidan Steele, in arriving at Carrick after Steele ed from Ards.

Elsewhere, Ballymena United have announced the g of striker Ryan McNickle on a two-year-deal.

The 25-year-old arrives from Newry City after scoring 20 goals in the Championship as his side suffered relegation.

Full-back Mal Smith will Irish Cup champions Dungannon Swifts upon the expiry of his contract with Crusaders.

The 24-year-old came through Glentoran's academy and had a spell on loan at Ballymena before spending two seasons at the Crues.

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