St Mirren wasted no time getting their January transfer business started after signing defender Richard Taylor on New Year’s Day.
The pacey 22-year-old defender, who came through the youth ranks at Burnley, was most recently playing League of Ireland football with Waterford, making 33 appearances last season.
With his contract expiring, the Englishman has been snapped up on a short-term deal with the Buddies for the rest of the current campaign.
Saints boss Stephen Robinson already expects the rapid centre back to earn himself a longer deal.
Robinson said: “Richard came to our attention as a left-sided centre-half and left-footed defenders is something we don’t have a lot of. He has very good attributes. He’s six-foot-three, very quick and has a good left foot.
“He’s someone who will come in on a short-term deal to challenge for a place and give us a bit more depth.”
Taylor began his career at Burnley before signing for Southend United in 2019. He went on to enjoy further spells at Barnet, Dulwich Hamlet and Dagenham and Redbridge before signing for Waterford in January last year.
St Mirren have been able to afford to sign Taylor by allowing winger Jay Henderson to join Championship side Inverness Caley Thistle on loan for the rest of the current campaign.
The youngster has struggled for game time this season, with Robinson hoping the move to the Highlands will help him kick on before returning to Paisley in the summer.
Robinson added: “With no reserve side at the moment it’s important that Jay goes out and gets games so he becomes an option for next season.
“We’re sending him to a club that play the right way with good people in charge of it. Moving away from home and having to deal with the ups and downs of football we feel will bring Jay on tremendously.
“We’ve done this with Kieran Offord, Lewis Jamieson, Dean McMaster, Ewan Thomson and Aiden Gilmartin and we feel it will benefit all the players.
“With Jay going out for game time it’s allowed us to use his wage to bring Richard Taylor in on a short-term deal with the potential to earn a longer deal, which I’m quietly confident he will do.”
St Mirren have also been busy with contract extensions for some of their key young talents.
Defender Luke Kenny, currently on loan at East Kilbride, has signed a new deal as has goalkeeper Peter Urminsky.
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