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St Johnstone clinch signing of Welsh striker Louis Lloyd AND close-in on English Championship goalie

The Perth club could soon have eight signings completed.

Toby Steward gathers the ball playing for Crawley Town.
Toby Steward. Image: Shutterstock.

St Johnstone are set to sign Welsh striker Louis Lloyd and are also working on a loan deal to bring Portsmouth goalkeeper Toby Steward to McDiarmid Park.

The Perth club struck an agreement with Caernarfon Town for Lloyd earlier this week, which includes a transfer fee, and have since been discussing personal terms with the 21-year-old Cymru Premier League golden boot winner.

He is now likely to be unveiled before the weekend.

The second stage of Saints’ summer recruitment is picking up pace.

Louis Lloyd warming up for Shrewsbury.
Louis Lloyd. Image: Shutterstock.

After securing five Scottish-based players early in the window, former Harrogate Town left-back, Matty Foulds, signed a two-year deal on Thursday and has now trained with his new team-mates.

And Courier Sport understands that Saints have identified a goalkeeper for their bid to make a swift return to the Premiership.

Boss Simo Valakari, head of recruitment, Gus MacPherson, and goalie coach, Gordon Marshall, have been thorough in their homework to find the right player for arguably the most important spot in their team.

That has included options in Scotland, abroad, permanent signings and loans.

In the end, Saints have settled upon Steward, who is extremely highly thought of at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth have carefully progressed his career through various non-league spells before the 20-year-old seized an end-of-season emergency loan at League One strugglers, Crawley Town, with both hands.

He only conceded twice in four games and excelled in a baptism of fire debut by keeping a clean sheet away to champions Birmingham City.

Clear plan

Portsmouth sporting director, Rich Hughes, recently explained that a full season of loan football was the next, important step in his development.

“We have a plan for him,” Hughes told the Portsmouth News.

“We want to keep him developing and we are cautiously optimistic that the fact he has gone and done really well in League One at the business end of the season for a team in a relegation scrap will open pathways for him to hopefully find another loan.

Toby Stewards applauds the Crawley fans.
Toby Steward is highly-rated at Portsmouth. Image: Shutterstock.

“Playing games is hugely more beneficial for him rather than sitting on the bench.

“It’s a very difficult balance with goalkeepers, you need them around your building, you need them to plan, you need them to train, but, then again, you also need them to get that match exposure.”

Valakari will point to the contribution of Zach Mitchell, the same age as Steward, in the second half of last season when it comes to valuing quality over experience.

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