SAINTS SECURE STRIKER SAMUEL

Saints have this morning moved to sign former Falkirk and Dundee United striker Collin Samuel.

The 26 year old Trinidad and Tobago internationalist, who has been playing his football in with Major League Soccer side Toronto, has signed a two year deal.

Manager Derek McInnes is delighted to have added Samuel to his current options up front and told the Saints Official Website, “Colin has been enjoying his time in Toronto but his wife and family have been back here in Scotland and that has not been ideal and he has been keen to return to them. When I found that out, I spoke with Mo Johnston who is the Director of Soccer at Toronto and moved quickly to bring him to Saints.”

Prior to the start of the current MLS season Samuel enjoyed training facilities at McDiarmid Park during the winter thanks to his former Tannadice team mate McInnes and the Saints gaffer says, “I had six weeks to look at Colin and I think he is a more complete player than he was earlier in his career. I was keen to keep him here but he was contracted to the MLS and had to go back but he has since indicated to them that he wanted to come back to Scotland to be with his family.

“He knows me, he knows Tony Docherty, he knows a lot of the players from his time training here and he knows the First Division – I think that will make him a great acquisition and he is still at the age where he can kick on and play at the level I think he can reach.”

Inevitably comparisons will be made with Jason Scotland, another Trinidad and Tobago striker who also played at Tannadice but Derek is anxious for that not to be the case.

“They are different types of players” says McInnes. “Sammy has pace and works hard and although nobody could argue with Jason’s scoring rate, he didn’t necessarily have the same attributes.”

The Manager revealed that he is still seeking another striker – one with more of a physical presence than his existing options – and he is working hard to bring a goalkeeper and left-back to the club. Jody Morris is also a target but it will be later in the week before there will be any move with that one.

Del continued, “I had a squad of 24 last season and I am looking to bring that down to 18 or 19 – but 18 or 19 guys who expect to be playing each week. I want real competition for places.”