Scottish Championship outfit Ross County have pulled off a decisive late-window move, snapping up Ugandan international Uche Ikpeazu Mubiru from St Johnstone in a deal that gathered pace and was sealed within hours.
With Ronan Hale heading to Gillingham last week, the Staggies wasted little time in plugging the hole left at the tip of their attack. The Dingwall club turned to familiar Scottish soil to secure a proven target man, prising Ikpeazu away from a Championship rival to inject muscle and menace into their frontline for the run-in.
Ikpeazu arrives in the Highlands carrying both experience and pedigree. The 29-year-old striker has already cut his teeth in Scottish football with Hearts and St Johnstone, while his journey south of the border has seen him lead the line for the likes of Middlesbrough and Cardiff City.
The Uganda international is set to inherit Hale’s number nine jersey, a symbolic passing of the baton as County reshape their attacking unit for the second half of the campaign.
Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell was full of praise as he welcomed his new forward into the camp. “I’m delighted to be adding Uche to the squad.”
He brings a wealth of experience to the club, having had successful spells in both Scotland and England, as well as having six international caps for Uganda. Uche brings a different style of play to our forward line, he is a great physical presence, and is a real handful in and around the forward areas.”
“His hunger and attitude fit in well with the group, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Ikpeazu becomes Ross County’s second addition of the window, following the arrival of Poland youth international Levis Pitan, as Kettlewell continues to retool his squad.
The incoming traffic has been matched by a busy departure lounge at Dingwall, with George Robesten, Jack Wells-Morrison, Scott Fraser and Hale all moving on, and more potential changes still being discussed before the deadline shuts.
Ross County are back in Championship action on Tuesday night against Queen’s Park, and Ikpeazu could be asked to hit the ground running as the Staggies seek a response to last weekend’s disappointment against Morton.
