Ballymena Utd January transfers

January signings so far: Dean Ebbe (Dundalk), Igor Rutkowski (Armagh City), Sean Murray (free agent)

January departures so far: Josh Carson (Portadown)

Ballymena United boss Oran Kearney has acted quicky in the mid-season transfer window as he looks to put his own stamp on the Sky Blues squad he inherited at the start of December, already making three signings.

Kearney had identified a lack of firepower up top as an area to address, bringing in two strikes in Dean Ebbe and Igor Rutkowski.

Thirty-one-year-old Ebbe previously featured for Crusaders and enjoyed goal laden spells at TNS and more recently Dundalk and will he an experienced option to partner the effective if inconsistent Success Edogun.

Rutkowski makes the jump from the Premier Intermediate League where he scored eight goals this season for Armagh City and at 21, may be one for the future who could provide an impact off the bench.

Sean Murray is another experienced and talented operator to give the Sky Blues more midfield depth but keeping the 32-year-old fit will be key following his previous injury-hit spell at Glentoran.

Next five fixtures: Larne (H, Irish Cup) - 10 January; Cliftonville (H) - 13 January; Dungannon Swifts (A) - 17 January; Portadown (H) - 24 January; Linfield (A) - 31 January