Institute ace left in coma in 2016 joins Glenavon

Highly-rated: Niall Grace AN Irish League footballer who was left fighting for his life after he was assaulted in Londonderry in 2016 will play in the Europa League next season after signing for Glenavon.

Institute FC player Niall Grace was left in a coma after a onepunch assault outside a bar.

While Grace (25) helped ‘Stute’ reach the Premiership this year, last night he signed a three-year deal to join the Lurgan Blues who have qualified for Europe.

“I feel brilliant. Obviously Glenavon is a massive club and it’s a big step up for me but I’m really looking forward to getting started now,” he said.

Wishing him luck, Institute tweeted that he was a “top class player and a great lad”.