FALKIRK have signed Dutch pair Tomas Litjens and Fouzi Mesaoudi after international clearance was finally granted.

John Hughes, the Falkirk manager, will keep the free agents until the end of the year and watch them closely in reserve games before deciding whether to offer them deals in January.

Litjens, 21, is a central defenderwho was last with premier division side Roda JC, while Mesaoudi, 24, is a midfielderwho played for first division Haarlem.

"I think it would be unfair to throw them right in at the deep end against Dundee United this weekend so they'll play a reserve game next week, " said Hughes. "It was a bit frustrating that the clearance took so long but we have a good deal and we're delighted."

Meanwhile, the Falkirk goalkeeper, Allan Ferguson, has suffered a relapse in his recovery from an Achilles injury.