Jim aims to tick all the boxes
Midfielder pens deal with Saints
New St Mirren signing Jim Kellermann insists he is ready for a step up in quality after swapping the English Conference for a spot in the Premiership.
The 23-year-old centre mid has penned a two-year deal from Aldershot as Jack Ross starts to shape up the side for next season’s top flight.
He arrives following two campaigns with the Recreation Ground side, where he made 39 appearances and scored seven goals as Shots finished fifth in the National League but lost in the playoffs against Ebbsfleet United last season.
The former Wolves youngster admits he jumped at the opportunity to move north of the border. With trips to the likes of Celtic Park and Ibrox looming large on the horizon, Kellermann says he can’t wait to get started.
He told Express Sport: “I am happy it is done. I am just looking forward to coming in for pre-season and starting with the boys here. The move happened quite quickly, then seemed to take its time, but we have finally got it over the line which I am delighted about.
“It is always a waiting game at this time in the season but I am happy to have got it done early and I can relax now and enjoy the summer.
“It is a great move for me personally. I am going up quite a few levels. It is definitely a step up. It is the Scottish Premiership so it is exciting for me as a player and also for the club having just won the league.
“They had a great year last year and that will always help going into the new season. Hopefully we can keep that going because that has always got to be the aim of any club that has just achieved promotion.
“I am an ambitious player and I have come here to challenge. I don’t know the top flight well and it might prove to be difficult, but we have got to go there and challenge the sides that have been there for a while.
“From what I have heard, it is a never-say-die attitude they have here, so that suits me just fine.”
Kellermann caught the eye with a marked improvement in his game over the course of last season having had trust shown in him by Aldershot boss Gary Waddock. The midfielder nailed down a starting spot in the squad for what proved to be a successful season for the club.
However, Kellermann knows that fans of the Buddies won’t know much, if anything, about him.
He said: “I know the supporters won’t know too much about my game but they like to play on the front foot and that reflects on me as a player as well.
“Hopefully I can bring a lot of energy to the midfield. I am a box-to-box midfielder and I chipped in with a few goals last season which is something that I would like to continue to do.
“I have played in a deeper role as well but I much prefer going box-to-box because I feel that is my strength.
“So, hopefully the fans will see me in both boxes over the course of the season.”