Caley Thistle manager John Robertson hopes to have Darren McCauley in his squad for tomorrow’s Championship trip to Falkirk after the winger completed his move from Coleraine last night.
Robertson has succeeded in his long pursuit of McCauley, who was recently placed on the transfer list at the Showgrounds after expressing his desire to move elsewhere.
Despite McCauley appearing close to joining Derry City earlier this month, Robertson has confirmed the 27-year-old has turned down a number of other clubs in favour of a move to Caledonian Stadium.
McCauley has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Caley Jags, with Coleraine expected to receive a nominal fee for the winger.
The deal is subject to international clearance, with Robertson hopeful the paperwork will be completed in time for McCauley to face the Bairns this weekend.
Robertson said: “We have been tracking him for a while and we’ve made our move. There were three or four teams interested, but he has agreed to join us.
“It has taken a while, it has been a slow burner, but he was a target we identified and wanted. We are delighted he has agreed to come so we just have to let the SFA and the Northern Ireland association sort out the paperwork and he will be with us as soon as possible.”
Former Republic of Ireland under-19 international McCauley had a brief spell with Celtic as a youth player and has since played for Derry City, Institute and Coleraine, where he has netted seven goals in 24 appearances so far this season.
Robertson said: “Darren scored 17 goals for Coleraine last season from the midfield area, and he has got seven this season. We feel once he gets up and running he will add another goal threat to the front men.”
Robertson revealed he is also close to securing another player on loan, with Caley Jags having been linked with a move for teenage Hearts midfielder Anthony McDonald.
Robertson, who will be without defender Coll Donaldson and winger Tom Walsh for the next month due to injury, added: “We’re still hoping to get another loan player in before the weekend. We are pretty close to getting another one in which will help us.
“It will boost the numbers because we are down in that respect, but we are getting there. If we get these two lads in we should be set fair until the end of the season.”