Four signings and a new Gardyne deal for Ross County
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ROSS County have completed a signing swoop for four players and extended the deal of wide midfield ace Michael Gardyne.
The first new recruit is Dutch defender Kenny van der Wag, 25, Dutch, who comes in from NAC Breda.
He's signed on a one-year-deal with option of further year.
The player knocked back a three-year contract extension by the second-tier Eerste Divisie club and will link up with a former team-mate, Staggies striker Alex Schalk.
Thrilled boss Jim McIntyre confirmed: “Kenny is a player we’ve noticed a few times. He’s a naturally left-footed player, which we required, and he can play at centre back and full-back. He brings good aggression and he also knows Alex Schalk from his time at NAC Breda."
Staying continental, the Dingwall club have also netted Frenchman Christopher Routis, 26, who moves north on a two-year deal from English League One side Bradford City.
Having played across the back and midfield, he brings experience and he too will link up with a familiar face, County captain Andrew Davies.
McIntyre said: “Christopher knows Andrew Davies very well from his time at Bradford. He’s a defender to trade but has played in midfield quite a lot. He’s a very versatile boy.
“He’s not had a lot of game-time this side of the season. He wanted a different challenge and we’ve managed to secure him.”
Also, as manager Jim McIntyre revealed last week, former Wolves keeper Aaron McCarey, 24, has joined on a two-year deal.
He comes in to replace Gary Woods, who returned to his parent club Leyton Orient, and will provide competition for Scott Fox, who recently signed a contract extension keeping him at Dingwall until the summer of 2019.
The Staggies swooped to land McCarey, who has been on loan at Telford, Walsall, York City and Bury, and failed to make more than seven appearances for Wolves.
McIntyre said: “Aaron is at a good age, and has played right through the age groups with Republic of Ireland.
“We’ve now got two goalkeepers who will compete for the position, which is the same as we had last season."
Completing the business was the return to the club of Slovakian defender Erik Cikos, 27.
Cikos, who had been back on trial at Dingwall towards the end of the season, was on loan at County in 2004 and was last at Slovan Bratlisvala.
Hot on the heels of their four new signings, County extended the contract of former Dundee United player Gardyne until the end of the 2017-18 season.
As well as being a creative wide man, Gardyne, who came through the youth ranks at Celtic, showed he knows where the net is.
When he netted a double in a 3-2 win against Kilmarnock in December, he became the club's record scorer, passing the 60 goal mark.
