Livingston have signed goalkeeper Ivan Konovalov from Russian top flight outfit Rubin Kazan.
The 27-year-old will arrive in West Lothian pending a work permit being granted and international clearance.
The shot stopper has penned an 18-month deal with the club having an option to extend by a further season with the 6ft 3in new arrival expected to battle it out with Max Stryjek for the starting role.
Konovalov, who made 20 top flight appearances for Rubin and spent last season on loan at fellow top flight side Ural Yekaterinburg, becomes the Lions' third new arrival of the transfer window.
He follows in the footsteps of Wales under-21 defender Morgan Boyes from Liverpool and forward Caleb Chukwuemeka, who joined on loan from Aston Villa last week.
Speaking to the club's official website, Livi boss David Martindale hailed his latest signing, commenting: "I feel it’s a very important signing for us in terms of having genuine competition in the building for Max. We have relied heavily on loan signings over the years as there hasn’t been a great standard of goalkeeper available on our finances. It has been extremely hard to recruit a genuine, permanent signing who can compete to be our number 1.
“Ivan will come in and really push Max and I think it will be very good for both goalkeepers in their own development. It’s healthy competition in an area of the park that we have became really light in since the horrific news about Daniel.
“Ivan has played in the top leagues in Russia, Serbia and Belarus and is currently with Rubin Kazan in the Russian Premier League. Rubin Kazan are a huge club and have been very good to work with and I would like to thank them for all their help in securing Ivan.
“Ivan is a good age in goalkeeper terms and has played enough football to convince us that he can come in and be a very good goalkeeper for Livingston FC.
“There has been a lot of interest in Max over the last 6 months and I have no doubt if Max keeps his current form up there will be further interest in the summer. Bringing Ivan in just now will provide healthy competition in the short term and allow him the opportunity to bed himself in slowly to our environment in a different league and country. Come the summer, I feel he will be in a very good place and prove his worth to Livingston FC.”
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