Cliftonville complete third deal of the summer as highly-rated defender Shaun Leppard joins from Institute

The defender arrives at Solitude after an impressive campaign at Institute, where he was named as the Championship Player of the Year, as well as being named in the division's Team of the Year.

Leppard joined 'Stute in 2017 and almost led Kevin Deery's side to promotion to the top flight last year as they were narrowly beaten by Ballymena United in the promotion/relegation play-off.

The towering centre-back was named as the Manager’s Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year during his final season with Institute.

The Reds - who will compete in the second round of Europa Conference League qualifying - have already signed Luke Conlan and Michael Newberry for the 2024/25 campaign.