Ballymena United has signed defender Scot Whiteside, who returns to the club after a two-year spell with Linfield.

What happened?

Whiteside joins the Braidmen following the expiration of his contract with Linfield, where he won a league winners' medal and was part of the BetMcLean Cup winning squad last season.

Why it matters for Ballymena United

The 29-year-old spent six years on Warden Street from 2018 to 2024, making 134 appearances in total, and was a regular member of the side that finished second in the league in the 2018-19 campaign under then manager David Jeffrey.

What comes next?

Ballymena manager Oran Kearney commented: "Ballymena United was very good for Scot in his first time here, as he was for the club and he's at a good age now where he wants to be racking up appearances and this is a great opportunity to write his second chapter here." | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | League standing | 10th in Northern Ireland Premiership | | Points | 34 pts | | Recent form | LLDWD | | Last result | Crusaders FC 3-2 Ballymena United (2026-04-25) | Whiteside told the club's media channels: "Once I heard the plans here on and off the pitch, it was an easy decision." This signing is a significant boost to the team, which is currently sitting in 10th place in the Northern Ireland Premiership with 34 points from 33 games.