Midfielder Phil Charnock (left) has joined Ballymena United

The 30-year-old, who started his career at Liverpool, guested for United in a friendly against a Derry City Select earlier this week.

He was plagued with a knee injury during his two years at the Blues.

Charnock has signed a four-month agreement taking him to the end of January, when the player and Ballymena will review their options.

Charnock is eligible for inclusion in United's squad for the Irish Premier League game at Loughgall on Saturday.

The ex-Crewe and Port Vale man was a free agent during the transfer window last summer after being released by Linfield, which frees him to play for United before the window re-opens in January.