Airdrie have announced the signing of midfielder Alex King from Northern Irish side Crusaders in a swap deal for Elliot Dunlop. The Diamonds have landed the former Morton and Clyde man ahead of Saturday’s first pre-season friendly at home to Welsh Premier side Penybont. The 20-year-old arrives at New Broomfield as 19-year-old winger Dunlop heads to Belfast. Boss Rhys McCabe said: 鈥淜ingy is a player with lovely balance and a sweet left foot. He offers physical presence, but is also very comfortable on the ball, so he鈥檚 coming in with all the fundamentals that we look for in a player. 鈥淗e has the versatility to play a number of positions too, so we鈥檙e looking forward to working with him.鈥 On Elliot he added: 鈥淓lliot came here from youth football and worked his way into the first-team environment, developing physically as well as picking up good experience on loan at Stranraer. 鈥淗e now has the opportunity to continue his development with more regular first-team football. He鈥檚 a great boy with a great attitude and desire to improve, and we wish him all the best for the future.鈥 King, who made his Morton debut aged just 16, is delighted to be back in Scotland and is looking forward to life in the Championship. He said: 鈥淚鈥檓 really happy to be here. Airdrie is a great club and there are some great players here 鈥 players that have the capability to go into this season and have a real good go. I鈥檓 excited to get started.”