KEKE SET FOR MORE ARD GRAFT AFTER CRUES MOVE CALLED OFF

GUILLAUME Keke is set to stay at Ards after a transfer to Crusaders failed to materialise. The French striker scored eight goals in the final nine games of the season, helping the Red & Blues to an eighthplaced finish in their first season back in the Danske Bank Premiership.

Keke, 26, signed a new deal with Ards in March, tying him to the club until the summer of 2018. However, his recent goalscoring exploits attracted the attention of Stephen Baxter.

The Crues were prepared to negotiate a deal that would see the former Cliftonville and Larne frontman move to Seaview, but the switch broke down after discussions between Keke and the Shore Road side.

The Parisian is now determined to help Ards improve. "I want Ards to be the best they can be," he said. "I want us to be better than this season, so I will stay at the club to help make this happen.

"I will fight for the club in every match and try to score more goals for the team.

"I think that we can compete for a trophy next season. I watched the Irish Cup final on TV and I want to play in games like that in front of big crowds.

"I can do that at Ards. Why not? We are a good team this year and we can be better next year."

Reflecting on an interesting few years on the Irish League Season, Keke - -- who played for Evry and Noisy-le-Sec in his native France before joining Cliftonville in 2015 - -- explained: "My uncle lived in Belfast and coached at Immaculata and he invited me for a trial at Solitude.

"I really didn't know anything about Irish League football but I did well on the trial and Tommy Breslin signed me for Cliftonville.

"I liked the club and the fans but I didn't play enough games, so I moved to Larne where I did very well. This year, at Ards, I scored 12 goals. I want to score more next season and help the team achieve more."

Though Keke - -- who yesterday collected Ards' top scorer award with 12 strikes and the club's Goal of the Season honour for his memorable longrange effort against Dungannon Swifts in February - -- is set to stay, two players who will not be part of things next year are captain Emmet Friars and midfielder David McCullough, who have both left the club.

Boss Colin Nixon - -- ex-Linfield players Johnny Frazer and Michael McLellan - -- has, however, completed the signing of Harland & Wolff Welders midfielder Scott Davidson, whose former Tillysburn team mate Samuel Johnstone has also been brought into provide goalkeeping competition for Aaron Hogg.

Credit: By KEITH BAILIE

Illustration

Caption: STAYING PUT: Guillaume Keke has a year left on his contract with Ards