Basit Umar completes move to Ballymena United after delay

Ghanaian teenager Basit Umar has joined Irish Premiership side Ballymena United after a delay over his work permit.

The 18-year-old was signed and cleared on transfer deadline day in August but confirmation of the move was only made on Monday after the permit delay.

Umar led the Ghana U20 ‘Black Satellites’ to African Cup of Nations qualification this season.

Football for me is about hard work, that’s what makes you stand out, and I work very hard,” he said.

“Ghana, I will say, was my greatest stepping stone to the football market internationally - it is through them that I got my recognition outside of Ghana,” Umar told the club website.

“Words can’t honestly explain how I feel knowing that people worked very hard for me to get here.

“I want to thank everyone at Ballymena United for believing in me and knowing I could make it here.

“Not everyone gets this opportunity and I look forward to settling down and aim to play and score goals to help my team get to the top of the league.

“I want to make everyone here proud of me and what I can bring to the team.”

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