Forres Mechanics sign Elgin City winger Matt Jamieson on permanent deal
FORRES Mechanics have completed the permanent capture of Matt Jamieson from Elgin City on a three-year deal.
The 21-year-old Moray-based winger has been attracting interest from a number of Highland League clubs, but has chosen to pen a deal at Forres Mechanics.
Elgin will keep tabs on Jamieson’s progress, with manager Allan Hale confirming that City will have the chance to buy him back should be impress.
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But the deal is very much a permanent one - and one that Forres boss Steven MacDonald is pleased to get done.
“We are absolutely delighted,” MacDonald said. “I have followed Matty for a long time, from when he was playing in the Highland League for Deveronvale on loan.
“He played in a friendly game for us one night and scored, as well. We have followed his progress and he has done well at Elgin.
“The opportunity has come to get him to Forres and we are delighted he has chosen to come.
“He has still got the chance to get back to that level, but it's about getting regular game time for him and that will help him. It makes sense that if Matty is doing well Elgin will keep an eye on him.”
Jamieson impressed during a loan spell with Deveronvale, and then for Elgin City before an injury left him sidelined.
He hasn’t featured in the League Cup this season and Elgin are keen for him to get minutes under his belt at Mosset Park.
Hale admitted that he is sad to see Jamieson - who he three times tried to sign when Huntly manager - leave, but said that the deal is a good one for both clubs involved, as well as the player.
He said: “Ever since I have come in he has generated interest among Highland League clubs, which is unsurprising with the talent and ability he has.
“It’s been something we have been reluctant to do, because I have been excited to work with him, but we have been presented with a proposal from Forres that, at this point in time, makes sense.
“It helps the club get some good value for a young player and benefits us in that it gets Matty out playing. It's what he needs at this moment of his career. He needs to be playing every week.
“He needs to gain that confidence again. If he does, and does what we have asked of him, then he will be safe in the knowledge that the opportunity to come back is there. Similar to our arrangement for Ben (Barron).
“It works out for Forres because he is a top player and it works for Elgin because we can keep tabs on him and can look at him frequently.
“It’s frustrating it hasn’t work out yet, because I saw a lot of Matty when I was at Huntly and tried to sign him three times - on loan and permanently. When I got the job I was excited to work with him, but an injury has left him playing catch-up fitness-wise.
“We have spoken and there is an understanding that playing 40 games a season, and probably playing 90 minutes most games, is what he needs.
“Supporters will be disappointed that talented young players are leaving, but it’s the right thing for Matty.”
Jamieson will continue to train with City once a week, while training with Forres - who now train in Inverness - once.
Forres’ Highland League campaign gets underway on Saturday when the Can-Cans host Rothes. City are in action tomorrow at Queen’s Park in the League Cup.
