St Johnstone bring Gibson north for home comfort

St Johnstone have signed Willie Gibson on loan from Crawley Town until January after the former Queen of the South, Kilmarnock and Dunfermline player asked to come back north due to homesickness.

Crawley manager Steve Evans explained that Gibson, who only joined the Reds in January, was keen to return to Scotland. Kean told the club’s official website, www.crawleytownfc.com: “St Johnstone have been keen on Willie for a while, as have a few other clubs in Scotland and the north west of England, but the player made it clear this would be the club for him.

“Homesickness is a terrible thing and there is really only one cure, go home. Willie has two young children up in Scotland and he missed them dearly. He found every day hard but thankfully we have got a resolution for the time being.”

Meanwhile, Dundee United have confirmed the signing of striker Lauri Dalla Valle on loan from Fulham until January.

The Finland under-21 international will move to Tannadice from Craven Cottage until 16 January.

The 19-year-old moved to Fulham from Liverpool in August 2010 as part of the deal which took Paul Konchesky to Anfield.

United manager Peter Houston said: “Lauri is a player I have been aware of for some time, having seen him play at Liverpool.

“Once I knew he was available and, knowing how highly he is rated by Fulham’s reserve coach Billy McKinlay, I wanted him signed up quickly.

“This loan arrangement will provide the opportunity for him to further develop his potential at first-team level whilst adding a much-needed striking option to our first-team squad.

“He clearly has a big future ahead of him and it’s great that he knows he can enhance his development here at Tannadice.”