Larne FC Announces Signing Of Levi Ives

Larne Football Club (FC) has announced the signing of defender Levi Ives from fellow Irish Premiership side Cliftonville.

Ives arrives at the club for an undisclosed fee after making more than 200 appearances for Cliftonville.

During his time at Solitude, the 25-year-old was made vice-captain and won the league cup twice. Ives also narrowly missed out on the league title during the 2021/22 season with Cliftonville finishing just one point off winners Linfield.

Ives began his professional career at Torquay United after impressing at the Northern Ireland Milk Cup. He would make 20 appearances at Plainmoor before returning to Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the signing, Manager Tiernan Lynch said: "We are delighted to bring a player of Levi’s calibre to the club.

"He has rightfully earned a reputation for being one of – if not the – best players in his position in the country.

"He is tenacious, technically excellent and has a hunger to keep improving his game in a full-time environment.

“We have said all along players wouldn’t be coming to Larne for the sake of it, we only strive to bring a player in if they have the potential to challenge the players we have and make us better.

"Levi very much falls into that category and it is a real coup that he was just as keen to come here as we were to bring him in."

Reflecting on the decision to join Larne, Ives said: "I met Tiernan five years ago and he told me what the club were going to do and they’ve done it all, so I'm really looking forward to see what the future holds.

"I'm looking forward to the full-time aspect of the move. Being in every day, the work you do off the field and on the field and helping you to stay injury free.

"I've played at Inver Park a few times now and it's always been impressive with the experience the club sets up with the lights and how the fans play a big part, so I'm looking forward to that too."