Ross County have handed a Highland return to former defender Josh Reid, who becomes Malky Mackay’s third summer signing.
The Staggies, who remain a Premiership club following their pulsating play-off final triumph against Partick Thistle, are bolstering their back-line following the departures of captain Keith Watson and Alex Iacovitti.
Reid will compete for the left-back position with George Harmon and Ben Purrington.
Reid departed County two years ago when he signed for English Championship side Coventry City.
When the Scotland under-21 cap left, he’d racked up 24 appearances, but the 21-year-old has struggled to nail game-time for the Sky Blues and was on loan last season with Stevenage.
Buzzing to be back, can’t wait to get started @RossCounty https://t.co/L8WRW2Noul
— Josh Reid (@Joshreid01) June 26, 2023
Reid was highly-rated as he broke through the system at Dingwall and impressed at first-team level. That prompted Coventry to make their move and sign the player for a reported six-figure sum.
However, the academy graduate needs to get his career back on track and Mackay feels this can be a win-with situation for both parties and he joined on a three-year deal, subject to international clearance.
Mackay is thrilled to land a player of Reid’s quality until the end of the 2025/26 season.
He said: “I am delighted to see Josh return to the club. He knows the club and area very well and is a player who has had recent international experience with the Scotland under-21s.”
🏡 Back in the Highlands. pic.twitter.com/97ceQvUsZL
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) June 26, 2023
Reid becomes the third player to sign up at Victoria Park, following midfielders Scott Allardice from Caley Thistle and Kyle Turner from Partick Thistle.
On Friday, Watson was confirmed as a signing for Raith Rovers in the Championship, while Iacovitti joined Port Vale in England’s League One.
Graduate trio score new contracts
County, meanwhile, have handed contract extensions to three of their academy graduates, with goalkeepers Ross Munro and Logan Ross and midfielder Ryan MacLeman signing one-year deals seeing them through to next summer.
Munro, 23, spent last term as the back-up to first-team number one Ross Laidlaw, following loan experience gained at Raith Rovers and Brora Rangers.
Ross County FC are delighted to announce contract extensions for three of our Academy graduates.
Ross Munro, Logan Ross and Ryan MacLeman have all signed one-year deals which will see them stay at the club until at least the summer of 2024.
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) June 26, 2023
Ross, 19, spent the first half of last season on loan with Highland League side Lossiemouth before switching to Brora in January. His form earned him a place in the P&J’s Highland League team of the season.
McLeman, 19, built up his game time in the HFL in 2022/23 as he went on loan to Forres Mechanics, following a previous spell at Clachnacuddin.