St Mirren have made their first signing of 2020 after Cork City confirmed Conor McCarthy is heading to the Paisley club.
Manager Jim Goodwin made a new centre back his top priority after Hull City knocked back the club's offer to extend Sean McLoughlin's loan deal.
And he has brought in McLoughlin's former teammate McCarthy on a two and a half year deal to bolster his defensive options.
Speaking on McCarthy's quality, Goodwin told stmirrenfc.com: "Conor ticks all the boxes.
"With Sean McLoughlin going back to Hull it was a position that we had to bring in at least one.
"Conor is one that we looked at in the summer but couldn’t do anything about it then. But with the Irish League finishing in November we were able to put things in motion and thankfully we have been able to agree a deal with Cork City and with Conor.
"I have seen him in the flesh, Gus has seen him in the flesh and we have watched a lot of footage on him. The references that we got from people that I know over there were fantastic as well."
Talking about the move to St Mirren, McCarthy told corkcityfc.ie: "I have loved my time at Cork City FC.
"Since I joined from my schoolboy club, Blarney United, I have really enjoyed representing my hometown team, and it was a particular honour to be captain last season.
"Now is the time for me to move on to the next stage of my career, but I would like to thank everyone I have worked with during my time at Cork City and wish the club the very best of luck for 2020 and beyond.”
