Former Carlisle and Workington midfielder Ben McKenna has joined Clitheroe for a small fee.
The 28-year-old, a familiar figure around the non-League scene, had been with Farsley Celtic in National North, only joining them at the start of the season.
Burnley-born McKenna joined Carlisle United in 2009 and went on to gain age-group caps for Northern Ireland through to Under-19s level.
He only made two senior appearances for United but played 14 times when on loan to Annan Athletic.
His first real opportunity came with Workington when he clocked-up 44 appearances and four goals before linking with Stalybridge Celtic in 2014, playing 76 games and scoring six goals.
Short spells followed at Bradford PA (20 games,3 goals), Southport (21, 3) and Stockport County (23,3) and his nomadic career has continued at Curzon Ashton (13,3), back to Bradford PA (21,5), Chester (9,1) and Spennymoor (41, 4).
The attacking midfielder has agreed an 18-month contract with Clitheroe and becomes the first player to command a transfer fee since Stewart Fort took over as chairman of the Blues in the summer of 2020.
The board, management duo of Billy Priestley and Gary Stopforth, and everyone behind the scenes say they are delighted to have secured the deal.
McKenna spent a spell playing alongside Priestley at Southport and the pair are now re-united, with McKenna in line to make a debut in the Blues’ FA Trophy second-round qualifying tie at home to Liversedge this afternoon.
As well as McKenna the Clitheroe fans will also possibly get a look at AFC Fylde youngsters Rhys Long, Harry Jones and Mane Walder, who have joined the Blues on month-long loan deals.
