Exciting' Dijksteel arrives early at St Mirren

St Mirren have paid an undisclosed fee to bring "exciting" 24-year-old winger Malik Dijksteel to Paisley six months early from Cork City.

The Scottish Premiership club announced last week the Dutchman had signed a pre-contract agreement to join them when his deal with the League of Ireland club was due to expire in January.

Cork manager Gerard Nash then claimed after Friday's League of Ireland Premier Division defeat by Sligo Rovers that Dijksteel's agent had made the winger unavailable for the game after St Mirren's approach had been rebuffed.

Saints manager Stephen Robinson had denied any knowledge of that, but is now pleased to "add another bit of creativity and pace into the team" on a contract until summer 2028.

Robinson said that, with Conor McMenamin out injured, "we didn't have the wide players" who could "change games in 1v1 situations" since Christmas last season.

"We believe Malik brings that real, real pace," he said. "A real exciting signing for us."

Robinson, though, stressed that "there's no guarantees" and Dijksteel would have to "fight to get into the team" who qualified from their Premier Sports Cup group.

However, he pointed out that: "He comes match ready because he's been playing at Cork as well the last three games."

Once a youth with Feyenoord, Dijksteel joined defender brother Anfernee at Middlesbroough before moving to Whitby Town and Wrexham before signing for Cork in 2023.

He has made 11 appearances this season, scoring once, but is "delighted" to be able to join St Mirren earlier than planned for a full season.

"It allows me to get to know the manager and get to know how he works," he told St Mirren's website.

"The manager said he wants me to be me and be the player that I am. He wants me to beat players, excite the fans and work hard. That's what you want to hear as a winger.

"I've watched some of the games on TV. You don't know until you're in it yourself, but it looks like a good level and I'm looking forward to it."