Irish League transfers: Linfield set to sign England striker while Joe Gormley stays at Cliftonville

Maltese international Kyrian Nwoko was their main target but the deal for the Valletta player fell through due to restrictions on work permits.

David Healy signed Billy Chadwick on loan from Hull City, but the Blues chiefs wanted more support up front for the 21-year-old and Christy Manzinga.

Linfield and Larne were both in the market to sign a goalscorer and free agent Green is the man they turned to, with Gloucester City also in the chase.

With Ronan Hale and Davy McDaid at his disposal, Tiernan Lynch’s need for a forward is not as pressing as Linfield’s, so the Inver Park club passed the signing on, allowing Green to join the Blues.

The 34-year-old started his career with Newport County and has continued to play for numerous clubs, most recently in Grimsby Town.

With over 150 goals in nearly 600 club appearances, Green will bring a wealth of experience to the Danske Bank Premiership.

Across Belfast, sources from Cliftonville insist record scorer Joe Gormley is going nowhere despite Larne asking for his availability.

With Paul O’Neill injured, the Reds won’t allow any striker to leave for fear of running out of cover.

Glentoran boss Mick McDermott quickly telephoned Solitude when reports of Larne’s interest in Gormley
emerged, but he was told the 31-year-old was not for sale.

Coleraine, meanwhile, made an offer to Cliftonville for midfielder Ronan Doherty to sign the 25-year-old Buncrana, who joined the Institute in 2019.

Elsewhere, Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey follows Ards midfielder Kym Nelson, who left Glentoran for the North Down club three years ago.