The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Irish striker to join Saints on two-and-a-half-year deal
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright yesterday tied-up long-time target David McMillan from Dundalk on a pre-contract.
The Irish striker enjoyed an early 29th birthday present by agreeing a two-and-a-half year deal with the Perth club which kicks in in January.
McMillan has an impressive track record in Irish football, with European goals featuring on his CV.
After spells with UCD, St Patricks and Sligo, he collected three titles with Dundalk and savoured Euro success.
But McMillan, who has been combining football with a degree in architecture, has always had designs on playing in Scotland or England.
He was targeted by Dundee United earlier in the year but they were scared off by Dundalk’s valuation.
“This is always something I fancied and I want to grasp the opportunity. I feel the time is right to make the move,” he said.
“I had other opportunities when I was younger which didn’t come to fruition but I was also focusing on my studies as well as playing football.
“The chance has come a bit later for me than for most I suppose but Tommy feels it is the right club and the right move for me and I feel the same.
“There are big clubs with a great history here.
“St Johnstone have been doing well for several years and it is something I want to be part of. It would be great if I could help them achieve another top six finish.
“I have had nine seasons in the League of Ireland and I have improved as the years have gone on.
“I had four seasons with Dundalk and we were incredibly successful. We won the league three times and had a great European run, getting to the group stages of the Europa League.
“So there are plenty of highs to look back on when I finish playing.
“We were just the second club in Ireland to reach the Europa League groups and the first to win a game at that stage.
“I got five goals in the qualifiers for the Champions League before going into the Europa League. That was a memorable run. And we lost in extra-time to Rosenborg this season. “
McMillan will have double cause for celebration in January.
He revealed: “It has been a long haul but by next month I can finally call myself an architect.
“For the last couple of years I have combined work and football but this is my chance to focus firmly on playing and give it a real go.
“I will have the degree to fall back on when my football career is over.”
McMillan rounded off his time at Dundalk with a cup final loss to double winners Cork.
Perth boss Wright said: “We’re delighted to get David. He has a track record of scoring in both the League of Ireland and in Europe and I’m sure he will be successful here.”