Caley Thistle have completed a late deadline day loan move for Luton Town striker Aribim Pepple.
The 21-year-old has been with Luton since 2022, but has yet to make a first-team appearance for the English Premier League outfit – having had loan spells with Grimsby Town and Bromley.
Englishman Pepple previously played in Canada with Calgary Foothills and Cavalry, as well as a spell with Spanish outfit Getafe.
✍️ Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC are delighted to announce the signing of 21 year old striker Aribim Pepple on loan from Premier League @LutonTown until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.
Welcome to Inverness, Bim! 🔴🔵
👉 https://t.co/eJmnWudqOK pic.twitter.com/Fl2AmsKVQR
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) February 1, 2024
Pepple becomes manager Duncan Ferguson’s seventh addition of the January transfer window.
Earlier in the day, Ferguson raided his old club Everton to bring midfielder Sean McAllister to the club on loan.
The deadline day swoop this lunchtime sees the 21-year-old Northern Irishman check into the Championship club from Merseyside until the end of this season.
Contracted until this summer with the English Premier League club, McAllister comes with a good background from the Toffees’ youth set-up.
He scored eight goals for Everton’s under-18s in season 2020-2021 in U18 Premier League (North) matches, where he also provided six assists and regularly captained the team.
At the end of that season, he broke into David Unsworth’s under-23 team and has continued to impress there in the Premier League 2.
McAllister, who represented his country at under-17 and under-19 level, received his first call-up for the under-21s in November.
Ferguson, well aware of McAllister’s potential, has given him a chance to show what he can do in the Scottish Championship.
In last week’s 3-2 league win at Raith Rovers, Ferguson handed first senior career starts to defender Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, who is on loan from Leeds United, and Remi Savage, who also joined from Newcastle.
🙌 Welcome to Inverness, Sean McAllister
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) February 1, 2024
Caley Thistle’s David Carson seals 18-month Livingston deal
ICT defender/midfielder David Carson, meanwhile, completed his switch to Premiership Livingston.
The 28-year-old is out of contract this summer, but the two clubs have agreed a fee to allow Carson to join Livi on an 18-month deal.
Carson, who joined Inverness from Morpeth Town in 2019 has boosted the Lions, who are six points adrift at the foot of the top-flight.
✍🏻 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬
Livingston FC is delighted to announce the signing of midfielder David Carson from Inverness Caledonian Thistle, subject to SFA approval.
Welcome to West Lothian, David! 🦁
🖥️ https://t.co/5dNpJJzhd2 pic.twitter.com/aHQbELff2T
— Livingston Football Club (@LiviFCOfficial) February 1, 2024
Livingston boss David Martindale told Livi supporters what they can expect from Carson.
He said: “I am delighted to secure David’s signature and bring him into the club.
“He can play in a number positions but, for me, is best in a defensive midfield role.
“David has bags of endeavour and desire to work hard for the team and I’m sure this will see him quickly become a fans’ favourite.”
Earlier this season, Carson, who helped the club to last year’s Scottish Cup final, played his 150th game for the club against Dundee United and in total he played 163 matches for ICT and scored twice.
A Caley Jags statement said: “The club would like to place on record our thanks to David for his contributions while at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC and we wish David and his family all the very best in the future.”
The ICT Supporters’ Trust reacted to the transfer by saying Carson was: “a true professional in his time here and hard to replace the passion he had. Good luck in the future Davie!”
Davidson and Thompson move out on loan
Temporarily departing Caledonian Stadium are Jake Davidson and Robbie Thompson.
Defender Davidson has moved to League One side Hamilton Accies on loan, while Thompson has made the switch to League Two outfit Spartans until the end of the season.
Davidson, who joined from Championship rivals Queen’s Park in the summer, has made 18 appearances for the Highlander,s but has struggled for game time in recent weeks.
Thompson, who has previously had loan stints with Clachnacuddin in the Highland League, has eight first team appearances to his name.
Although he made a first team breakthrough at the start of the season, Thompson has struggled for game time in recent months.
His substitute appearance in the 4-0 victory over Broomhill in the Scottish Cup last month was his first outing since Ferguson took charge in September.
Thompson will now look to help Spartans in their efforts to cement a promotion play-off place in their first SPFL campaign.
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