Dunfermline are poised to complete the loan signing of Aberdeen starlet Lawrence Shankland after the clubs agreed a deal until the end of the season.
Pars boss Jim Jefferies confirmed the 18-year-old has trained with the Fifers and, subject to the paperwork being finalised, will be available to face Stranraer on Saturday.
And Jefferies who is also running the rule over Norwegian striker Preben Erland this week has revealed that the East End Park outfit fought off the attentions of a Championship outfit to land the highly-rated Scotland under-19 international.
The coach said: “There were a few clubs in for the player and keen on his signature, one from the Championship, but we had already spoken to (Aberdeen manager) Derek McInnes on a couple of occasions about him.
“Derek has needed him to be on the bench for the first team in the last couple of games but now Lawrence is available and we are grateful to Aberdeen for letting him make the move to Dunfermline.
“Lawrence is still a young boy, he is still learning, but hopefully he will come in and score a few goals for us.
“He trained with us on Tuesday morning with a view to taking him on loan from Aberdeen. There are a couple of loose ends to be tied up but I’m sure they will be.”
Shankland netted 14 goals for Queen’s Park last term, emerging from the same production line that has heralded the likes of Paul Cairney, Barry Douglas and Andrew Robertson in recent years.
That prompted Aberdeen to stump up a compensation package in the close season to take the teenager to Pittodrie where he is yet to make his competitive debut.
Meanwhile, the Pars have confirmed the signing of 17-year-old goalkeeper Jamie Wilson.
The highly-rated teenager has spent a number of years in the youth set-up at Rangers, having opted to sign for the Ibrox club despite interest from Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs while at school.