Pepper retires as Cliftonville complete triple signing

Conor Pepper has announced his retirement from football and will take up a role in Cliftonville's backroom staff.

Pepper made 98 appearances for the Reds after joining from Linfield in 2023, winning the Irish Cup and League Cup at Solitude.

The 32-year-old started his career with St Patrick's Athletic before earning a move to Scottish Premiership side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

He then had a stint at Greenock Morton, winning the Scottish League One title before spending two season with Glentoran from 2018-2020.

Pepper made the switch to rivals Linfield after his contract ran out at the Oval and he was part of the Blues side that won a league and Irish Cup double in the 2020-21 season.

He will now take up the position of first team coach under Reds boss Jim Magilton.

Cliftonville also confirmed their first three signings of the summer window on Friday.

Defenders Dan O'Connor and Kyle McClelland have joined the north Belfast outfit, as has winger Ben Quinn.

O'Connor, 21, arrives after a spell with AFC Totton, while McClelland returns to the club on a permanent deal after spending the second half of the season on loan with the Reds from Glenavon.

The 24-year-old made just two appearances before suffering a broken toe that kept him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Quinn, the nephew of Republic of Ireland internationals Alan Quinn and Stephen Quin, joins after spending last season at Portadown.

The 21-year-old previously had spells with Celtic and Mansfield.