Ross County have agreed a pre-contract with defender Jason Naismith, who will join the Dingwall club from Championship side St Mirren in the summer.
The Paisley-born right back has spent his entire career with his home-town club, aside from brief loan spells at Morton and Cowdenbeath, meaning County will be required to pay compensation.
After securing the former Scotland under-21 international’s signature for next season, Staggies manager Jim McIntyre could try and tempt the Black and Whites with an offer during the January transfer window, with Staggies right backs Marcus Fraser and Erik Cikos both out of contract in the summer.
Naismith emerged as a promising young talent during the Buddies’ top-flight stint under Danny Lennon, making his debut in a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen in February 2012 and going on to make 104 appearances for the club.
Naismith suffered a knee injury in August 2015 which kept him out for the majority of last season but has started every league game this term.
With Saints rooted to the bottom of the Championship, seven points behind nearest challengers Ayr United, the lure of a move back to the top flight was too much of a temptation for Naismith to ignore.