Portsmouth midfielder completes loan switch to Carrick Rangers

The Pompey midfielder joins Carrick Rangers to help his promising progress. Storey, who made his Blues debut against Cheltenham in the Papa John’s Trophy in December, has remained in Ulster after returning for Christmas.

The 18-year-old was on loan at Gosport Borough earlier this season, although non-elite sport is currently suspended amid the third national lockdown.

However, with the Irish Premiership set to restart on January 23 after a hiatus, Pompey swiftly moved to secure the ex-Portadown man a temporary switch to Carrick.

Compatriot Eoin Teggart moved to Cliftonville last week.

Carrick currently sit bottom of the table but have three games in hand on 11th-placed Dungannon Swifts.

And Storey can’t wait to get started at the club his late friend, Jerry Thompson, played his football.

He told the Gers’ website: ‘It is an absolute pleasure to come to Carrick Rangers on loan, for me it is all about getting loads of games on board and I will do everything I can to benefit this team and get them up the table.

‘I had a lot of other offers from teams higher up in the league but when I spoke with Carrick my decision was made straight away.

‘That is the least I can do for the club after what they have done for Jerry and our family.

‘I can’t wait to get started and continue on from where my best friend left off.’

There was plenty of interest in Storey, with two other Irish top-flight clubs also keen to take him on loan.

Rangers boss Niall Currie is delighted the third-year scholar chose to move to Taylors Avenue.

He said: ‘Firstly, I’d like to thank our chairman for letting us bring Gerard in at a time where we are already filled out with midfielders.

‘We learned of Gerard’s availability late on Wednesday last week and given our close connection with Gerard through the family of Jerry Thompson we threw our hat in the ring and were competing with other top Premiership sides for his signature.

‘Whenever you get the opportunity to sign a special talent like Gerard who is technically fantastic and a wonderful footballer you have to take it.

‘He made his first team debut for Portsmouth only a month ago but is home again due to the current situation with Covid-19 and so the opportunity arose to get him on board for the rest of the season.

‘I quickly contacted our chairman who got the deal over the line for us and so I am absolutely delighted. We are all really looking forward to watching this young man play and as far as we are concerned it’s not very often a club like ours gets to sign this quality of player.

‘The fact that Gerard was so eager to come to us ahead of two other fantastic Premiership sides says everything we need to know about him. We are delighted to have him on board and can’t wait to watch him play for Carrick Rangers.’