ST JOHNSTONE have confirmed the signing of Israeli striker Guy Melamed on a free transfer, with the forward vowing to play his part in lifting Saints up the Premiership table.
The 27-year-old, who was a free agent after leaving Maccabi Netanya earlier this summer, believes he has what it takes to get Callum Davidson's men firing after a run of four straight defeats that has left the Perth side bottom of the table.
Melamed describes himself as a typical number nine and says he was sold on his move to McDiarmid Park after a chat with the Saints boss - insisting that Davidson is the right man to bring the best out of him.
"Yes I am very excited," he told the St Johnstone website. "When I heard there was an offer from Scotland I totally wanted it and I'm excited for this.
"I hope that I help the team score goals and help us move up the table. I think it is a very good league. I have a good friend that play in Celtic, [Hatem Abd] Elhamed.
"I had one year left with my team, Maccabi Netanya, and we decided both sides to finish it. I looked for something else in Europe and I talk with my agent and he told me he would check some options and he found St. Johnstone and when I heard about this I was very happy.
"[Callum Davidson] talked to me on FaceTime before I came here. I read about him on the internet and he had a very impressive career and he knows football very well. I think he is the right person to coach me.
"He thinks the team is very good and another striker is what he needs and I'm happy he chose me.
"I can move the ball very good, I will bring quality, I score goals. I can play the classic 'number 9' position. I think I bring some technique and movement. I hope I will bring goals - that is the most important thing.
"I have heard about Scottish fans and especially St. Johnstone who are very committed and very supportive. I hope that I can see them soon."
Davidson added: "I'm delighted to get him on board. As soon as I spoke to him he came across as very enthusiastic and passionate - qualities I look for in a player.
"He's very excited and looking forward to the challenge. His enthusiasm as a person made me make the decision to try and get him.
"Guy's a little bit unknown over here and has something to prove. From watching videos of him play, I thought his movement in the box was very good. We had been looking to either go for a target man or someone to score goals, and I believe we have gone for the latter option.
"It's difficult with the current situation but he will be in quarantine due to the rules. But once we have him in we will get him up to speed in training and we will get him involved with the boys. He's lively and I hope he settles in well."
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