Highs and lows of football have made Benjamin Kimpioka stronger as motivated St Johnstone striker prepares for debut

Benjamin Kimpioka has come to realise that nothing is handed to you on a plate in football.

But the new St Johnstone striker is hungrier than ever to succeed after dealing with the ups and the downs that the beautiful game often throws at you.

Kimpioka had navigated through the ranks at Sunderland and had much hope placed on his young shoulders. He quickly earned recognition with Sweden at youth international level.

Loans would follow in the lower reaches of English football at Torquay and Southend United before a permanent switch was made to the Swedish top-flight with AIK back in 2022.

Regular game-time remained an issue and Kimpioka was sent on his latest loan adventure to ply his trade with FC Luzern in Switzerland.

Saints fans will remember that particular club fondly having knocked them out of the Europa League during a memorable two-legged tussle in 2014 which ended in penalty drama.

Yet Kimpioka was given less than 10 appearances on the pitch at Luzern - scoring one goal - before returning to AIK and then still having to settle for spots on the bench or not in the squad at all.

And so January arrived and Perth boss Craig Levein came calling to snap the 23-year-old up on an 18-month contract. It is a chance to shine in the top tier of Scottish football.

Kimpioka admits his career to date has not been plain sailing but he feels stronger - indeed a better footballer - for all of the highs and lows he has experienced to date.

“In life and football there are a lot of ups and downs,” Kimpioka told the Perthshire Advertiser.

“There have been good ups for me and some downs, but I appreciate every moment.

“I’m not too old yet but I have been through quite a lot. That is good because it makes you stronger mentally. It