Stuart Urquhart joins Dunfermline

Former U17 Scottish internationalist has joined Dunfermline from Coventry City on a one year deal.

The nineteen year old central defender was a youth at Rangers for three years having started his football career with Hamilton. He signed for Coventry in September 2013. Speaking to the website, Jim Jefferies explained how he came about his latest recruit.

"He is a young boy who showed a lot of promise in coming through at Rangers. They sold him to Coventry. I don't think the lad settled down there and he wanted to come back up the road. Both us and Hamilton had him in for a couple of weeks to have a look at him. He felt that he had more chance of breaking into the team here.

"He is just nineteen, about six foot two, left sided central defender. With Kerr Young moving on we felt that we needed another central defender and obviously he balances things up. He will come and compete for a place with the rest of them just as we wanted Kerr Young to do. He is virtually a replacement for him."

Stuart also spoke to the website on Friday and said that he had been keen to leave Coventry because he had been hold that he wouldn't really play this season. He said:-

"I was keen to come somewhere where I had a chance of getting some games. I had other offers but I have been in here training and I was impressed with the set up and enjoyed the training; it was fast and intense. There is a good bunch of boys and some really good players in the group. I was encouraged by it all. There is a good bit of positivity about the place. They all want to do well.

"I knew a couple of the boys having played youth team games against them when I was at a Rangers. You settle in quickly though after being here in training."

Stuart lists his priorities as getting more training in, get used to the way Dunfermline want to play and see if he can get some games under his belt.

The new signing who played eight games for Scotland at under 17 level has decided that the West Midlands is not for him. JJ continued:-

"We looked at him in training and felt that he has got potential but he has a challenge on his hands to try and break into the team. That is good from our point of view. He has not had very many pre season games so it will be a few weeks before we get him up to speed with the rest of the players.

"He will play in the 20s fixtures to get up to match fitness. He has done all the pre season at Coventry without featuring in games. He will get up to speed very quickly.

"He was on loan to Dumbarton in February 2013 and John Potter spoke to Jack Ross about him. He said that he did very well for them as a youngster in the team. He has filled out, he is a big strong boy and naturally left sided."

Stuart confessed that Jim Jefferies and Neil McCann were influential in making the choice to sign for Dunfermline:-

"The manager has obviously a vast experience. Potts and Neil are two bright young coaches and I really enjoy their training.

"I know Dunfermline like to play the ball and play nice football so I would like to blend into that."