BY KYLE GUNN

New St Mirren signing Sam Foley insists that being a late bloomer and not turning pro until the grand old age of 25 has benefitted him both on and off the pitch.

At 32-years-old, the midfielder, who joins Jim Goodwin's Paisley revolution on a two-year contract after leaving Northampton Town at the end of last season, has had plenty of jobs outside of football including time as a security guard and even a gardener. 

But now the only thing he wants to see sprout upwards is the Buddies’ name in the Premiership table.

“I first turned full-time professional when I was 25," Foley told Gazette Sport. "Dropping out of the game of the game wasn’t the best thing but it was certainly great for me as a human being.

READ MORE: St Mirren sign Northampton Town midfielder Sam Foley

"As a footballer it gave me a grounding to realise the value of certain things. It made me the player and person I am today and I wouldn’t change the journey I’ve had for anything.

"I wish it could go on longer and I can play more but a footballer’s career is a ticking time bomb. So to have the opportunity to come up here is brilliant.

“From the first moment I spoke to the manager I wanted to sign. He spoke very highly of the football up here and very highly of the club. He also showed a strong desire to bring me here and now I can’t wait to get started to repay the faith he’s shown in me by bringing me to this football club.”

Unsurprisingly with an English player making the trip north of the border, Foley says Old Firm games on TV was the extent of his knowledge of the Scottish game and is desperate to be involved in atmospheres like that up and down the country.

And doing his due diligence ahead of the move, he also revealed that former Inverness Caledonian Thistle centre-half Gary Warren sold him on a move to Scotland.

Foley added: “I wouldn’t say I’m a massive football nut but I’ve always watched it. It’s a big thing in Scotland when Rangers and Celtic are playing and there’s great coverage for all of the other clubs to be involved in a league which has that stature of football.

READ MORE: Jim Goodwin can't wait for first Premiership match as St Mirren boss

“I’ve spoken to mates of mine who’ve played up here and the only have good things to say about it. One of my best friends is Gary Warren who was at Inverness for years and he was telling me to come here as he knew I’d enjoy it. 

"I have no preconceptions about how it is. I did my due diligence and I looked at the football which is played and i’ve always kept my eye on it. To get the opportunity to now play in it was too good to turn down.”

Saints get their 2019/20 Ladbrokes Premiership campaign up and running this afternoon away to Hibernian. Kick-off at Easter Road is 3pm.

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