Livingston goalkeeper seals loan switch to Championship side

Livingston goalkeeper Brian Schwake has moved to Championship side Greenock Morton on a season-long loan deal.

The 20-year-old American has previously had loan stints at Linlithgow Rose and Edinburgh City, where he helped the capital club to promotion from League Two last term.

As part of the move to Cappielow, the Lions have a January recall clause. He will team up with Morton boss Dougie Imrie, who spent time as part of the coaching staff at the Tony Macaroni Arena last season.

Earlier this week, Livi boss David Martindale told the West Lothian Courier he was looking to get the youngster a move to the second tier.

Speaking to the club's website regarding the move, he said: "I was keen to ensure Brian got back out on loan at Championship level this season in order to help continue his own development up the leagues.

“He enjoyed good success at Edinburgh City last season and it was great welcome him back with a promotion under his belt and a well deserved place in the Team of the Year. “Going in to the Championship will be a step up and offer Brian a good challenge next season but I’ve no doubt he’ll thrive at Morton and come back to us at the end of the season, ready to challenge for his place in the first-team at Livingston.

“Both Stuart Garden and Tony Caig speak really highly of Brian and Dougie Imrie was well aware of what he could offer from his time here too so it was a good fit to get Brian out to Morton for ourselves, Morton and Brian himself.”

The Lions currently have Max Stryjek and Ivan Konovalov on their books in the goalkeeping department. Meanwhile, goalkeeping coach Stuart Garden has departed the club following the expiration of his contract.

Garden spent one season with the Lions, taking over from