WITH Oran Kearney and St Mirren set for a hectic January rebuilding project, we look back at some of the Buddies' best January dealings... as well as some of their worst.

Stephen McGinn 

The Gazette:

Where better to start then than with current club captain Stephen McGinn who signed back in January 2017.

A Jack Ross signing on a free from Wycombe after the English League Two side terminated his contract, McGinn made his return to the Saints that winter after previously spending four years in Paisley from 2006 to 2010 before moving on to Watford.

READ MORE: St Mirren sign Greg Tansey as Kearney promises more recruits

McGinn slotted right back into the middle of the park to help steady the ship and guide them to Championship safety under Ross before playing an intergral part in the club's Championship winning side the following season before going on to captain the club back in the Premiership under both Alan Stubbs and Kearney.

Esmael 'Isma' Goncalves 

The Gazette: 09/02/13 CLYDESDALE BANK PREMIER LEAGUE
ABERDEEN V ST MIRREN (0-0)
PITTODRIE STADIUM - ABERDEEN
Esmael Goncalves in action for St Mirren.

Looking further back to January 2013 and the arrival of cult hero Esmael 'Isma' Goncalves.

The youngster arrived on loan from Portuguese side Rio Ave and immediately heralded himself as 'the next Didier Drogba' in the press. 

He did manage to follow that bold statement up, however, with an impressive four goals in his first three games for the club.

Best remembered for netting early on against Celtic in the semi-final of the 2012/13 League Cup at Hampden to fire the Saints to the final, he went on to score nine goals in 16 appearances for the Paisley side, including a memorable effort in St Mirren's 3-2 win over Hearts in the League Cup final to secure the club's first piece of silverware in 26 years.

Jim Goodwin 

The Gazette: 18/08/15 PETROFAC TRAINING CUP 2ND RND
ANNAN ATHLETIC v ST MIRREN
GALABANK - ANNAN
St Mirren's Jim Goodwin (grounded) slides in on Stuart McColm (35884824)

With the 2012/13 League Cup final in mind, it would be remiss not to mention captain that day, Jim Goodwin.

St Mirren initially signed the Republic of Ireland midfielder on a short-term deal until the end of the season, but the ex-Celtic and Stockport midfielder went on to make more than 150 appearances for the Buddies, captaining the side to that 2013 League Cup win.

Goodwin enjoyed five successful years at the club before moving on to Alloa in 2016.

And now for a quick look at when the winter market doesn't quite go to plan.

Eric Djemba-Djemba 

The Gazette:

Not a January signing but worth a mention nonetheless is former Manchester United youngster Eric Djemba-Djemba.

Described by then manager Danny Lennon as one of the club's biggest ever signings, Djemba-Djemba penned a short-term deal at the beginning of February 2014 with hopes of winning a place in the Cameroon squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Going on to make just three appearances for the club including a disastrous debut against Dundee United in which he was lucky to remain on the park after a brutal lunge on Stuart Armstrong, the 32-year-old was released at the end of the season and also failed to secure a place in Cameroon's World Cup squad.

Massimo Donati 

The Gazette: Massimo Donati during his stint at St Mirren

Another winter transfer shocker is former Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati. Seemingly hanging up his boots with Hamilton and announcing his retirement on January 29, 2018, Donati performed a quick u-turn just weeks later to sign on until the end of the season with St Mirren.

READ MORE: St Mirren boost as Gary Mackenzie returns to training after nine months out injured

However, the former AC Milan ace made just one appearance for the Buddies, getting a run out in a 2-1 at home loss against Falkirk, never to been seen in a St Mirren shirt again.