Pars sign Kop kid
Graham Gibson • Published 26 Apr 2012 09:30
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JIM JEFFERIES hopes new signing Alex Whittle can make the same impact in West Fife as his fellow Liverpool youth academy alumni.
The 19-year-old will be looking to follow in the footsteps of scousers Adam Hammill and Calum Woods who both had successful spells at East End Park.
Hammill spent six months on loan at East End Park in 2007, helping the club to the Scottish Cup final, while Woods (pictured in Pars sction) was a lynchpin in the side that won promotion to the Premier League as Division One champions last year.
The Pars gaffer fought off a late bid from Livingston to sign the attacking midfielder on a pre-contract after he starred in a bounce match against the Almondvale outfit.
Whittle, who has represented England at under-16 level and joined Liverpool's academy aged just six, was handed a three-year deal.
He had been training with the Nike Football Academy, a group of unattached players who play in trial games throughout the UK, after being freed by the Anfield club last year.
Jefferies said, "He was a player we were recommended to go and see playing for the Nike Academy.
"We brought three up to play against Livingston and the boy showed up well. He was a wide player on the right who did well coming in off his left foot.
"He impressed us so we went to sign him and Livingston had made a late move so it proved he caught the eye of other people.
"I know this club has a history of signing players from Liverpool so hopefully he can have the same success.
"He will play in a closed doors game near the end of the season alongside a couple of other trialists.
"I wouldn't rule out making another signing from that avenue."
Another new face that could arrive at East End Park for the start of next season is former Hearts and Scotland international Kevin Kyle.
Kyle (30) is currently without a club after cutting short his Tynecastle contract after more than a year on the sidelines with a hip injury.
Jefferies has offered him facilities with the Pars for pre-season and has not ruled out a contract offer.
"He did terrific for me at Kilmarnock and Hearts and was a big part of the fantastic run that got us third place," recalled Jefferies.
"It wasn't until his injury that we lost our way as he was an important player for us.
"He had the injury and wanted to go away and get it fixed. If he's okay, he can come and do pre-season and see what develops.
"There is no commitment from either side but he's very interested and we'll wait and see what happens."
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