Scott Basalaj has signed with Scottish Premiership club Partick Thistle.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9191031/Glasgow-call-for-Kiwi-goalkeeper-Scott-Basalaj
Article really should mention hes going to be playing for U20s
Well, the u-20's are the reserve side and play in the SPL u-20 reserve league, so you'd hope he was going to be playing for the reserves - not signed to immediately warm the bench for the first team, for sure, but the second-choice keeper Paul Gallacher from the first team often plays for the .reserves. Three first team players played in the u-20 reserve game yesterday. So, Basalaj will have a chance to make the first team.
http://ptfc.co.uk/teams/u20/seasons/2013-2014/fixtures_results
One of the "u-20" players from yesterday v St Johnstone:
Paul Gallacher, Partick Thistle
Partick second-choice Gallacher has seven full Scotland caps and at 34 has played for Norwich in England as well as a long career in SPL. But he's barely played the last 18 months due to injury and looks to be nearing the end of his playing career.
He's also the club's goal-keeping coach, so looks like he will be training Basalaj to be his own replacement.
First choice Scott Fox at 26 is not a greatly experienced keeper and this is only the third season of his career where he's been making regular appearances. Before 2011 and turning 23 he barely had any senior appearances. So.in the same way, time is on Basalaj's side...
They're different at Thistle - Head of Youth Development Gerry Britton known as "The King of Spain" is both their top-scorer 1992-2005 and a criminal defence barrister at the local Sheriff's Court. One of the rare intellectuals in British football with a double major in Law and Political Science...