NI defender McGivern agrees a three-year deal with the Blues

LINFIELD have completed a major signing with the capture of Northern Ireland international defender Ryan McGivern, who will playing his football at Windsor Park this season.

The wing-back has agreed a move back home after leaving Swindon Town and has signed a three-year deal with the Blues.

The Newry man has made 25 appearances for his country, with the last of those caps coming in 2016, and will be hoping to force his way back into the international squad by impressing in the Danske Bank Premiership.

McGivern started his career with Manchester City before having spells with Hibernian, Port Vale, Shrewsbury, Northampton and then Swindon.

The 28 year-old links up with former national team-mate David Healy at Linfield — although he will now be his boss — and Roy Carroll at Windsor Park.

Meanwhile, Crusaders travel to Slovenia this week for the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie against Olimpija Ljubljana but already know who they will face should they win.

The draw for the third round took place yesterday, with the Crues or Ljubljana drawn against either BATE Borisov (Belarus) or HJK Helsinki (Finland).

They wouldn’t face the winners of that tie, rather it would be the losers as BATE and HJK face off in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

Crusaders, of course, are playing in the Europa League after dropping into the competition following their Champions League first qualifying round defeat to Ludogorets.