Ross County have signed winger Josh Sims after a nine-month pursuit.
A product of the Southampton’s youth academy, Sims – who made 27 appearances for the club, including in the English Premier League – took time out of the game due to heart condition Myocarditis in 2021 with his St Mary’s contract expiring last summer.
Staggies boss Malky Mackay revealed the capture of the 24-year-old was an exercise in patience while the player returned to fitness.
He said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring Josh to Ross County.
“He is a player we have been aware of for a considerable time, and a great deal of work has been done to bring Josh to Dingwall.
“We have had to be patient and keep in regular contact over the course of the past nine months, and are delighted to finally be able to sign him.”
County already have Jake Vokins and Kayne Ramsay on loan from Southampton, with the latter scoring a late equaliser for County against Livingston last time out.
Mackay said the capture of Sims was another benefit of County’s close links with the St Mary’s outfit, adding: “Josh is an exciting player with great domestic and international experience that will add to our group, and he is a player I think our fans will really enjoy watching.
“I’d like to once again thank Southampton for our continued relationship.”
Sims was with Saints for a decade, making his professional debut and setting up Charlie Austin for the winning goal against Everton in November 2016.
He would go on to play in Europe for the club, as well as earning a runners-up medal when Southampton lost 3-2 to Manchester United in the 2017 EFL Cup final. Sims played in victories over Liverpool and Arsenal during the cup run.
A European Championship-winning England youth international at under-17 level, Sims would go on to have loans spells from Saints at Championship Reading – in the first half of the 2018/19 season – then Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and League One Doncaster Rovers.
He scored three times during his time with Doncaster last term.
Sims could make his Ross County debut when they return to action against Hibs at Easter Road in the Premiership this weekend.
The Staggies are on a four-match unbeaten run and just five points off of the top six.
