St Mirren have signed Brentford goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe on loan for the season.
The 24-year-old has agreed a season-long switch to Paisley as Stephen Robinson landed a quickfire replacement for Zach Hemming.
Balcombe - who has represented England at youth level - becomes St Mirren's second signing of the summer after Shaun Rooney agreed a free transfer switch.
Robinson has been a long-time admirer of Balcombe and identified the goalkeeper as his first-choice target to replace fan favourite Hemming who will fight for a first-team spot at Middlesbrough.
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Balcombe made his debut for Brentford against Newport County in the EFL Cup in August and saved two penalties in a shoot-out win.
The Brentford academy prospect has made 72 senior appearances in his career to date counting Boreham Wood, Viborg FF, Doncaster, Burton, Bromley, Crawley Town and Bristol Rovers in his previous clubs.
Robinson said of the new addition ahead of European football next season: "Ellery is someone I’ve really liked.
"I’ve watched Ellery for a while. His distribution is very good, he’s commanding in his box and I believe he’s someone that will enhance our already good record of goalkeepers."
"We were keen to keep Zach [Hemming] but we spoke to Middlesborough and he's their player so we have to respect that.
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"He'll go back for pre-season and fight for a number two jersey there, but we already knew that would come.
"Ellery was somebody that we had been speaking to and keeping close watch on. He was our first choice to join and we’re delighted to have that over the line.
"It gives us a real base and our squad is taking shape nicely now."
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