Strapp joins Elgin City on loan until January

Left-back Lewis Strapp has today completed a temporary switch that sees him join League Two outfit Elgin City on a development loan until 4 January 2018.

Dunoon lad Lewis has been with our youth academy since its inception 2012 and earned his first professional contract in December 2015, signing an 18-month deal shortly after his 16th birthday.

His senior debut followed at the beginning of last season when he made his bow in a Betfred Cup Group H tie away at Albion Rovers on Saturday 16 July 2016.

The 17-year-old, whose current deal runs until next summer, has now made six starts, including playing the full 90 minutes of Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to Livingston in the Irn-Bru Cup, and two substitute appearances.

However, manager Jim Duffy believes he will be best served by gaining sustained senior experience in the Highlands and revealed Elgin boss Jim Weir specifically sought out Strapp’s services.

The Cappielow gaffer told gmfc.net: “We’re delighted that Lewis is going to go and get some regular first-team football. That’s the most important thing.

“He’s only 17 years of age, has played a few first-team games – Dunfermline, Dundee United, Livingston the other night – and I think he’s a terrific prospect, but what he needs to do is play regular, competitive football.

“That’s going to accelerate his development. Whereas with us at this moment in time with Mark [Russell] there, it’s difficult for him to get a regular run of first-team games.

“Jim had actually asked me about him three weeks ago, but we had so many injuries to defenders that it wasn’t possible. Now, with the injuries clearing up a little bit, we feel it’s a good time for him to go now.

“It’s a good challenge and we’ve spoken to him and he’s really looking forward to it. There’s a couple of cars travel up from the west of Scotland, so he’ll just join up with them. It’s a really good opportunity.”

Image: Gary Bradley