Saints in double swoop for Vardy’s academy graduates

ST MIRREN last night clinched a £75,000 deal to sign defender Josh Heaton from Darlington — along with the capture of striker Cody Cooke from Truro City. Both players have impressed in trials at England striker Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy, which offers non-league players the chance to impress scouts from full-time clubs. Central defender Heaton, 21, joins the Buddies on a three-year contract after knocking back a move to Middlesbrough in favour of regular first-team football. A qualified sports lecturer, 25-year-old frontman Cooke scored 13 goals in National League South last season as Truro reached the play-offs and also the FA Cup first round for the first time. Speaking last night, he told St Mirren’s website: ‘I am over the moon to join this club. It’s a huge opportunity for me and I want to grab it with both hands.’