Livingston boss David Martindale believes new keeper Shamal George will prove to be a sound investment by the club.
The 24-year-old completed his move from Colchester United at the weekend and was unveiled to the fans prior to Saturday’s League Cup clash with Kelty Hearts.
The former Liverpool youth product was named Player of the Year at the League Two club and the transfer fee of £87,500 represents the second largest sum the Lions have paid for a player in the club’s history.
George, who signed a four-year contract, will be handed a baptism of fire as he is expected to go straight into the starting line-up for Saturday’s televised Premiership opener against Rangers.
Martindale said: “There’s going to be a wee bit of a development curve and a bit of progression but that’s part of it all. He had interest from Championship clubs down south but I think they were sitting by the wayside waiting to get him for free on a pre-contract in January.
“Colchester played hard ball if I’m being honest but I’m due them a massive thank you because we got there in the end.
“During my time at the club, at least, we’ve never really bought players. We’ve paid some compensation fees but we’ve never paid a significant sum of money to bring a player in.
“That shows how highly I rate him. Do I believe there’s going to be a bit of a development curve? Of course there is. But it’s nice to have a no.1 in the building and we’ll put our time and energy into making him a better player.”
He added: “I think it’s a huge investment for the club, but it’s one I think we’ll get a fairly decent return on.
“The four year contract is a massive commitment but when you pay any kind of money at this club, you can’t afford to bring them in for two years.
“If you spread his wages and the cost of the transfer fee over those four years, it makes it more affordable whereas if it’s a two year deal it’s probably too much.
“We’ve invested in Shamal and he and his agent have invested in us. Our job now is to make Shamal a better footballer and their job is to then try and move him back into the English market.
“That’s the business model we’re all trying to create – even look at Rangers with the likes of Joe Aribo.
“Bringing boys in from those markets and developing them is a great way to get a return back on your investment and I believe it will prove to be a sound investment by this football club.”
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