Dara Costelloe joins St Johnstone on season-long loan from Burnley

St Johnstone have signed Ireland under-21 international Dara Costelloe on a season long loan.

The 20-year-old, who can play as a centre-forward or a winger, joins from English Premier League side Burnley.

Castelloe was named on the bench for the Clarets’ last seven games of the 2021/22 season in the Premier League and made six appearances in the early months of last season under Vincent Kompany in the Championship.

He spent the second half of last term on loan at Bradford and has now been allowed to move to Saints to continue his development in the cinch Premiership.

“I am delighted to be here, I can’t wait to get going,” Costelloe told Saints TV.

“I am hoping to kick on and express myself up here. Making my debut for Burnley under Vincent Kompany was a great experience. He is a great coach and I have learned a lot from him.

“This will be my first experience of Scottish football but I have an idea of what I can expect.

“I spoke to a friend who was on loan at Hibs last season (CJ Egan-Riley), and he only had good things to say about the league and the chance to come here.

“It seems like a great group of lads here, it is a very good standard in training.

“Everyone loves healthy competition as it can bring the best out of people, so I am hoping it can bring the best out of me.

“I want to give my all and do as best as I can for the club. Hopefully I can grab a few goals whilst I am here too.”

Saints will be hoping Costelloe can help spark an upturn in fortunes after a poor start to the season in which they exited the Viaplay Cup at the group stage and then lost their opening two league games.