Scottish League One: Top Three Performing Teams in the January Transfer Window
There were many comings and goings in League One during the January window before it slammed shut on Monday. The highlight being David Goodwillie’s departure from Clyde to Championship side Raith Rovers, a move which has been reversed by the Kirkcaldy club after backlash from fans.
However, let’s look at the top three performing clubs in the league and how their signings could improve their squad going into the second-half and business end of the season.
1. Falkirk
Head Coach: Martin Rennie
Current Position: 6th , 28 pts
Falkirk have completed a total of five signings in the transfer window as Martin Rennie begins his revolution to ensure that the Bairns secure a promotion play-off spot, gain promotion to the Championship and avoid a fourth consecutive season in the third tier.
Aaron Taylor-Sinclair
The 30-year-old defender has joined the Bairns on a deal until the end of the season, making him Rennie’s first signing since his appointment in December.
A left-sided defender, Taylor-Sinclair has previously played for Montrose and Partick Thistle in Scotland, as well as Wigan, Doncaster Rovers and Plymouth Argyle in England. Falkirk is his third club since returning to Scotland in 2018 with Motherwell, having recently played for Livingston.
Paul Watson
The 31-year-old defender has signed an 18-month contract in what is his second spell at the club, having previously played for the Bairns between 2015-2018. Watson started off his career at Livingston before joining Raith Rovers. After his first spell at Falkirk, he joined Dundee United and was most recently at Dunfermline Athletic.
On the signing of Watson, Martin Rennie said: “Paul is a player that we have been looking at for some time and I am delighted to get the deal over the line.
“He is a very experienced defender who has played at a really good level, and I am extremely pleased he has chosen Falkirk over several other excellent options.”
Keaghan Jacobs (on loan from Livingston)
The 32-year-old midfielder became Rennie’s fifth signing and one of two players to sign on loan from Livingston. Jacobs has been with the Premiership club since 2017 and also came through their youth system, with his first spell at the club between 2007-2015.
On Jacobs’ signing, Rennie said: “We are very happy to be adding Keaghan to our squad. He is a tough tackling central midfielder who can drive the team forward and offers additional steel.”
Jaze Kabia (on loan from Livingston)
The 19-year-old signed for Livingston last January and has joined the League One club on loan until the end of the season. He was praised as having “massive potential” by Livi boss David Martindale, and has already proved himself as a Bairn having scored twice on his debut match against East Fife.
On the young striker, Rennie said: “It’s good to add another player who we think can be a threat for us, someone who has pace and can get in behind, someone who has been playing in the Premiership. It’s a good opportunity for us to bring someone in who can make a difference to the team and add to the blend of players that we have.”
Jevon Mills (on loan from Hull City)
The 18-year-old centre-half joined the Hull Academy and signed with the English Championship club last year. He has also been capped by the Republic of Ireland U19’s and was named captain on his second appearance, and has joined the Bairns until the end of the season.
On the loan of Mills, Rennie said: “Jevon is a young player with lots of potential. He comes to the club highly rated by Hull City, and he will be an excellent option for us this season. He is an extremely bright prospect who we are delighted to bring in and the opportunity for him to come to us at this stage of his career and play first team football will benefit him massively.”
2. Dumbarton
Manager: Stevie Farrell
Current Position: 9th , 22 pts
Dumbarton have recruited well over the transfer window as manager Stevie Farrell adds to his squad in the aim of securing the club’s status in League One for a fifth consecutive season and avoid the relegation play-offs for a second time.
Steven Bronsky
The 27-year-old signed a deal until the end of the season, after playing as a trialist in a league match against East Fife. The defender previously played for Edinburgh City in the first half of the season, before terminating his contract.
Manager Stevie Farrell said: “Stephen made a promising start to life as a Dumbarton player, doing his bit to ensure a fine result against East Fife.
“With Ryan McGeever remaining out injured, it is important to add to our options at centre half and we have done that well with this signing.”
Gregg Wylde
The former Scotland U21 international midfielder joined the Sons until the end of the 2022/23 season after leaving Lowland League side East Kilbride.
Wylde is an experienced player in the game having made his senior debut in 2009 as a teenager at Rangers as well as featuring for other Premiership clubs such as Aberdeen, St. Mirren and teams south of the border. His most recent SPFL club was Clyde in 2020 before lockdown.
Stevie Farrell said: “Gregg is a vastly experienced player who has performed very well for East Kilbride in the first half of this season.”
Wylde has already shown just how much an important signing he could be for the Sons’ having scored a goal in his debut match against East Fife.
Kieran Wright (on loan from Rangers)
The 21-year-old turned professional at Ibrox in 2016 and has had experienced on loan at a variety of clubs, such as Albion Rovers, Raith Rovers and Alloa Athletic. Wright was part of the Partick Thistle team who won the 2020/21 League One title and is also a Scotland U21 international.
On completing the loan signing of Wright, Farrell said: “Kieran is well versed in what it takes to do well at this level and we’re glad to have him on board.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do as part of our squad over the rest of the season.”
Adam Hutchinson (on loan from Dundee United)
The 18-year-old defender has been part of the DUFC Academy since he was 10 years old and turned professional in 2019.
Hutchinson is a Scotland U16 internationalist and was on loan at Lowland League club Stirling University during the first half of the season.
Stevie Farrell said: “Adam is very highly rated at Dundee United and performed very well on loan at Stirling University.
“We’re glad to be trusted with helping him on the next stage of his development as a player and we are confident we’ll see good things from him.”
Joshua Oyinsan (on loan from Eastbourne Borough)
The 27-year-old Nigerian has scored five goals in 12 games for the English National League South club and has played for many clubs south of the border.
On the signing of Oyinsan, Farrell said: “We were alerted to Joshua’s footballing and goalscoring ability and we’re optimistic he will do well for us.
“He is a strong, powerful player who, not long ago, scored three hat-tricks in one season. We look forward to seeing what he can offer in a Dumbarton shirt.”
The striker scored on his debut match against East Fife early last month and looks like his contribution could be vital to where Dumbarton finish in the league this May.
3. Peterhead
Manager: Jim McInally
Current Position: 7th , 24 pts
The Blue Toon are another club that have completed a decent number of signings as the SPFL’s longest-serving manager strengthens his options for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Rico Quitongo
The 22-year-old defender has signed a deal with the club, having previously played for Hamilton Academical and Dumbarton as well as a short stint at Heart of Midlothian. He was most recently at fellow League One club Airdrieonians.
Manager Jim McInally said: “When I was made aware that Rico was going to become available, I made a pitch to him about coming to Peterhead. He is a player who can defend and also take your team up the park.
“I spoke to a couple of people who have worked with Rico in the past and they were fulsome in their praise of him as a player.”
Jack Brown
The 20-year-old midfielder signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Balmoor club, having previously played for Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Rothes.
Jim McInally said: “I see Jack as a player that can work behind our main strikers and hurt teams with the chances he picks up. He has shown he has an eye for goal and is also a really hard-working player who never rests.”
Conor Cullen
The 24-year-old goalkeeper was part of the Celtic youth team before signing for Partick Thistle in 2017 and has joined the club after spells at WoSPFL clubs Cambuslang and Drumchapel United.
On the signing, McInally said: “Conor has a very good pedigree in football and has also gained experience at various levels of the game.”
Owen Cairns (on loan from Fraserburgh)
The 23-year-old played youth football at Ross County before spending two seasons at Strathspey Thistle and then the Highland League side Fraserburgh in 2019.
On the loan signing of Cairns, McInally said: “Owen is a player I have admired for a while and I pleased to have him at the club. I am delighted that when the opportunity to brin him in came up, that we were able to get him here and our thanks go to Fraserburgh for their help in this.”