Crusaders have announced the signing of striker Stewart Nixon from Carrick Rangers.

The 26-year-old makes the switch from the Loughview Leisure Arena on a two-and-a-half-year deal but has spent the season on loan with Premier Intermediate League promotion hopefuls Queen's University, for whom he knocked home 19 goals so far this season across all competitions.

Looking forward to the move, Nixon remarked on his social media channels: "Firstly I can’t thank everyone involved with Queens enough for everything they done for me since arriving at the club.

"Everyone ... was amazing with me from the first minute. Can’t wait to get going with Crusaders, looking forward to the next step in my life."