St Mirren have tonight made their second addition of the January transfer window and re-signed Middlesbrough keeper Zach Hemming on loan.
The 24-year-old was a firm favourite with the black-and-white army last season and played a key role in helping the Buddies secure a fifth-placed finish in the Premiership and a crack at the UEFA Conference League.
Named last season’s Paisley Daily Express young player of the year, Hemming returned to his parent club on Teesside in the summer and was subsequently sent on loan to Sky Bet League One side Leyton Orient.
Sky Bet Championship outfit Boro recalled Hemming and have now sent him north of the border to resume his Paisley love affair with Saints gaffer Stephen Robinson indicating that the move could become a permanent arrangement.
The Buddies already have Ellery Balcombe on loan from English Premier League side Brentford although the West Londoners have a recall option of their own this month for the 25-year-old.
Hemming was back in training with goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield at Ralston today and could feature in Sunday’s Premiership trip to reigning champions Celtic.
“It’s good to be back,” the big keeper told the St Mirren club website. “I’m pleased that it got over the line and I’m here early in January. Hopefully we can get back into Europe or we can do as well as we did last season and see how it goes.
“It’s like I’ve never been away. It was really pleasing to see few faces from here last year and obviously a few new faces. It was just good to get back training with the lads and obviously training with Langers.
“The family always watch the games and the kids still support St Mirren. I had a few decisions regarding where to go but as soon as St Mirren came in there was only one place I was going.
“I thought I played my part very well last year and I just loved being here. It’s a great club, great people in it and everyone just welcomed you as soon as I walked through the door and that played a massive part in it.”
Buddies boss Robbo, who has already snapped up Gateshead striker Owen Oseni for an undisclosed fee and says back-up stopper Peter Urminsky could now be sent on loan, added: “We’re delighted to have Zach back. We think Zach is a very good goalkeeper that we’ve managed to get back again.
“We all know what he can do. He was very successful last season and we will be in discussions with Middlesbrough as we look at the potential of making it permanent at the end of the season.
“My job is to make the squad as strong as we possibly can in every position. I believe bringing Zach in strengthens the squad and gives us another percentage in trying to stay in the top six.
“It allows us to look for a loan option for Peter. We believe Peter will be a top-class goalkeeper but he needs games. Brentford also have a call-back option with Ellery and that’s up to Brentford what they do with that situation. But at the minute, we’ve got very good competition for goalkeepers.”
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