Huntly have added to their squad by signing 19-year-old defender Logan Johnstone on a two-year contract following the expiry of his deal with Caley Thistle.
The teenager joins Huntly after season-long loan spells at Lossiemouth and Forres Mechanics.
Huntly boss Martin Skinner knows the benefit of defenders on loan having recently taken Ryan McRitchie to Christie Park from Caley Thistle for a year.
Skinner said: “We needed defenders as we’re really light in numbers, so we’re delighted we managed to get Logan.
“He’s already played a lot of games in the Highland League for a 19-year-old. He’s a great prospect and he’ll give us something we needed in defence.
“Forres have an experienced and settled defence, he’ll have learned a lot last season and he’ll have picked up a lot playing under Charlie Rowley.
“I remember we played them last season and they were defensively very sound and kept it tight with two clean sheets against us.
“Hopefully he carries that form over to this club. He’s got plenty of confidence and he’s a good talker which will help us out at the back.”
A key part in Huntly keeping 11 clean sheets last term was a settled defence and Skinner believes his new signing will blend in well.
He said: “He’s a left-sided player, something we lacked last season, and he gives that balance of potentially going to a back three, if and when it requires. He’ll slot right in there with key players like Michael Clark and that gives us a big boost heading into pre-season.”
Johnstone said: “I’ve had two good seasons in the Highland League and it was good for me to get that experience.
“Charlie Rowley and the Forres squad were a good bunch of lads and I got to be part of a great team.
“I wish them all the best but I can’t wait to get started with Huntly.
“Full-time football is good for training and it definitely develops you as a player but when you’re playing in the Highland League, you’re playing with men, it’s not like under-19s or 20s so I feel like I’ve grown as a player in the last two years.
“I spoke to Ryan McRitchie before I signed. He said I should take Huntly up on their offer as it’s a good club and there’s a good bunch of lads here to play with.”