Allan Johnston is excited by his two latest attacking recruits to join Queen of the South.
The Championship club have signed Ruari Paton on a two-year deal from Stranraer and Lee Connelly’s one-year contract will officially start on Thursday. Paton, 20, is an Irishman who scored 10 goals in 24 games for Stranraer with the Doonhamers paying an undisclosed fee for him.
Allan Johnston said: “We are all excited that Ruari has joined us.
“He is a highly rated youngster who had a very impressive season with Stranraer last year and is a great young prospect that we all have high hopes for.
“He was the target for a number of clubs so we are delighted that he has joined us on a two-year deal and I think he will be a fantastic addition to the squad.”
As a teenager, Paton left his native Dublin where he was playing with Belvedere FC to sign for Hibernian.
After leaving Easter Road, he had a spell with East Kilbride before moving to Stranraer. He has played for the Republic of Ireland at U16 level.
Lee Connelly, 21, is also a striker and his deal starts on July 1 after being released by Sunderland.
In a similarity with former Queens striker Connor Shields, Connelly spent last season on loan with Alloa Athletic and scored against Queens.
He started as a youth with Queens Park before moving south to Sunderland in 2016, where he experienced first team football in the EFL Trophy and the FA Cup. He has also been capped at U15, U16 and U17 levels for Scotland.
Allan said: “Lee is a young player who has loads of energy.
“He is highly thought of and his shown up well in training so far. Having spent last season with Alloa he knows what to expect in the Scottish Championship so we hope he can hit the ground running.”
Former Kilmarnock and Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot is also training with the Championship club.
He played as a trialist during Saturday’s friendly against Annan and has options to consider.
He told BBC’s Sportsound: “I had two weeks where I thought it was time to pack it in.
“But I still have a burning desire to play and I have been in at Queen of the South training.
“I have the buzz back and I have had a few offers in the last couple of days. I feel great and I am as fit as I have ever been.”
