Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Pars boss Crawford thrilled to seal Afolabi deal
DUNFERMLINE manager Stevie Crawford i s t h r i l led to h ave signed Celtic striker Jonathan Afolabi on loan for the rest of the season.
The Hoops were keen to farm out the 20-year-old for first-team experience after he joined the Scottish champions from Southampton last summer.
The 20-year-old has struggled to break into the top-team at Parkhead but is highly rated and penned a three-year deal in August. Clubs in League One and League Two in England had shown an interest in taking the Republic of Ireland youth cap but the Pars have won the race for the youngster’s signature.
Crawford will be hopeful of teaming up the Irishman with top scorer Kevin Nisbet but has confessed Nisbet may be the subject of interest before the transfer window shuts this week.
The former Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers marksman, who took his season’s tally to 22 with a stunning solo goal against Dundee last Friday night, is reportedly interesting Hibs among other clubs but the Pars boss is determined to hang on to the 22-year-old.
PARTICK Thistle have brought in Blair Lyons and Darren Brownlie on permanent deals after the departure of Craig Slater.
Forward Lyons arrives from Montrose on a two-and-a-half-year contract but will head straight back to the League One side on loan until the end of the season.
Defender Brownlie, meanwhile, joins from Queen of the South on a two-and-a-half-year contract, with both of the deals subject to clearance.
Midfielder Slater l eaves by mutual consent after playing 51 times for the Jags.