St Mirren transfer coup as Stav Nahmani seals season long loan with option to buy rising Israel star

St Mirren have won the fight to land Israel under-21 star Stav Nahmani.

The Buddies have agreed a season-long loan deal with Maccabi Haifa, with an option to buy for £250,000. The deal for the highly-rated striker is subject to a work permit and visa being issued. It is a major coup for St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson as he has managed to fend off English Championship and League One interest to land Nahmani.

The 20-year-old has had recent loan spells in his homeland with Hapoel Not HaGalil, Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Hadera but is keen to try his luck in Europe. Nahmani has been impressed with the job Robinson did in leading St Mirren into a top six finish for the first time and wants to help them push for European football.

St Mirren have previously done successful business with Maccabi Haifa when they signed Australian international defender Ryan Strain from there last season.

The Premiership club have been building up their international scouting under Robinson and that has seen them bring in the likes of Keanu Baccus, Strain, Alex Gogic and Alex Greive. Robinson, who has recently signed a new deal, has taken St Mirren up a level and has been substantially backed by the board.

He is the highest-paid manager in their history and funds have also been made to buy players this summer. St Mirren see the player trading money as an important way to develop players and sell them on, like they have recently successfully done with Dylan Reid going to Crystal Palace and Ethan Erhahon to Lincoln City.

Bolton Wanderers have also made a six figure bid for Australian cap Baccus.