Harrogate Town‘s outgoing defender Matty Foulds has been picked up by Scottish Premiership side St. Johnstone.
The left-back was one of multiple players released by Simon Weaver’s club following the end of the season, with The Sulphurites finishing 18th in League Two. However, the 27-year-old failed to make a major impact on the squad this season, with just 15 league appearances to his name.
Foulds Scooped Up
According to The Courier, Foulds has now been signed on a free transfer by St. Johnstone, with left-back being a key area of recruitment by the Perth club. Simo Valakari’s side do not have a dedicated full-back in their side currently after the club transfer listed their current 24-year-old option, Andre Raymond.
The Trinidad and Tobago international has become a starter for his country during this summer’s Gold Cup, and with no offers tabled for him as of yet, Raymond is expected to stick around at McDiarmid Park heading into pre-season, providing initial competition for their new signing.
It marks the first time that Foulds will play in a top-flight division, with experience only in League Two with Bradford City and Harrogate, as well as a spell with Italian side Como during their time in Serie C. He was sold by Bury to Everton’s academy system for an undisclosed fee back in 2016.
Writers’ View
Matty Foulds seems to have struggled for minutes this season so for a top-flight club like St. Johnstone to move for him is interesting. Perhaps his versatility, having played centre-back at points through his career, is a big appeal but looking at The Saints’ needs, he will be a dedicated full-back choice. The Scottish side must have enough confidence to sign him permanently. His time at Bradford and Harrogate was filled with some promising performances but both clubs eventually got cold feet on the 27-year-old, and if he can get the consistency, he might be a shrewd deal for St. Johnstone.
