SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions Dundalk have confirmed the loan signing of Cammy Smith from Dundee United.
A native of Aberdeen, the 24-year-old attacker came through the youth set-up at Pittodrie, making his debut for his home town club at the age of 16 in 2012. He made 76 league appearances for the Dons, scoring three times and picking up a League Cup winners medal against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2014.
Loan spells at Dundee United and St Mirren followed before he joined the Paisley club on a permanent basis ahead of the 2017-2018 season. Ten goals in 34 league appearances followed as St Mirren won the Championship, earning Smith the club's Player of the Year award.
Smith returned to Dundee United last January but has started just one league game this season. He spent a week with the Dundalk squad at their pre-season training camp in Spain recently, playing in the friendly against CFR Cluj.
"I had a proper look at the lads and they had a proper look at me in Spain which was really good," he told DundalkFC.com after putting pen to paper.
"I'm here now to work hard and try and get back to enjoying my football."
Capped at U16, U17, U19 and U21 level for Scotland, Smith was once described by former manager Craig Brown as the 'Bergkamp of Aberdeen’, and he said that he was hoping to add something to Dundalk's forward play.
"I like to chip in with goals and create chances so I'd like to think that I'll add something at the top end of the field."
Dundalk manager Vinny Perth said that Smith would add flexibility to his squad.
"Cammy is an extremely talented player who can play in any of the three positions behind the striker," said Perth. "He is hardworking and an extremely technical player.
"He is on loan until the summer with a view to making it a permanent deal and we obviously hope that happens because it will mean he has had a good spell with us."
Dundalk begin the defence of their title at home to Derry City on 14 February.
Meanwhile, Finn Harps have signed former Ireland U18 international midfielder Leo Donnellan.
Donellan grew up in London and began his career in the QPR youth system, before playing with Dagenham and Redbridge and, most recently, Maidstone United. The 21-year-old has represented Ireland at U18 level, qualifying through his grandfather who was born in Castlegregory, County Kerry.
Donellan spoke of his excitement for a fresh start: "I knew about the league from my time with the national team and meeting some of the players. I was looking for a fresh start and thought maybe it could be a good fit. I'm delighted things have gone well so far."
"I probably hadn’t been playing as much in England as I would have liked so I’ve enjoyed preseason and getting the minutes in the legs. I’m buzzing to sign with the club and hoping for a good season ahead. Its’ important that we can get off to a good start and pick up some points early doors."
Ollie Horgan said: "Leo is a good lad and has done well since he came in. It's not easy to uproot yourself and give things a go, especially in another country, but he’s impressed myself and the rest of the management team and we are delighted he’s with us now for the year ahead."
