Versatile defender is Wullie Gibsons first signing, joining on a one year deal after leaving Raith.
Rico Quitongo comes from a well known footballing family. Father Jose arrived in Scotland in the mid 1990’s and settled here, playing for Hamilton, Hearts and St Mirren among others. Older brother Jai is also well known since coming through at Morton and was most recently at Queen’s Park alongside today’s earlier signing, Stuart Morrison.
Rico will be familiar to Queens fans, having done pre-season with us in 2019 before joining Dumbarton. Two years with the Sons in League One were followed by spells last season with Airdrie and latterly Peterhead. A regular starter at full back for all three sides, he’s very familiar with this level of football and has agreed a one year deal at Queens.
Wilson turned 20 the month before signing for Gary Naysmith and QoS on loan from Kilmarnock on 29 January 2019. The Scottish FA website list him with 5 caps for Scotland at u17, 4 at u19, 5 at u20 and 6 at u21 level at time of joining. His Scotland u21 debut was the 2-0 victory in Paisley against Netherlands on 5 September 2018 when Oliver Burke and Stevie Mallan Jr scored. He then played in the 2018 Toulon tournament as Scotland drew 1-1 with Togo with Everton's Fraser Hornby scoring for Scotland, Burke scored when defeating host nation France 1-0, and then defeating South Korea 2-1 with Burke and Chelsea's Billy Gilmour hitting Scottish goals. Scotland ended top of their group. In the semi-final they led 1-0 at half time against England through a Mikey Johnston goal. Wilson was subbed at half-time before Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah inspired England with 2 goals and an assist to come from behind to win 3-1. Scotland lost the third place play-off to Turkey on penalties after drawing 0-0. Wilson played in all 5 Scottish games at Toulon 2018.
He is described on the Scottish FA website as, "The type of player coaches and team-mates love. A quiet, unassuming character, he changes completely when he steps over that white line and his midfield firefighting alongside Motherwell’s Allan Campbell has been a key factor in the success of Scotland’s Under-21s this summer at the prestigious Toulon tournament."
At time of joining Wilson had 48 first team appearance for Kilmarnock including 39 in the top division. Another versatile player as per what Naysmith seems to favour. In Wilson's case he plays at either centre-midfield or centre-back. He has also covered at right back for Killie. His solitary senior goal so far in his Killie career up 'til signing for QoS was an 87th minute winner defeating Dundee 3-2 at home on Tuesday 13 February 2018. He is highly regarded by Steve Clarke and Scot Gemmill (Killie and Scotland u21 managers respectfully at time of Wilson joining QoS).
His QoS debut was on 2 February 2019. This was in the 3-0 defeat at Falkirk. While at QoS he played for Scotland under 21s in Marbella on Monday 25 March 2019 in a friendly v Sweden. Wilson's QoS team mate, Barry Maguire on loan from Motherwell, scored in under a minute for the Scots in a 2-1 defeat.
His first QoS goal was the 44th minute opener in the 2-1 home league win v Dunfermline on Saturday 20 April 2019. As well as that right foot strike low into the corner of the net, his energetic, forceful, midfield box to box contribution earned him man of the match in that game.
Iain Wilson played 18 competitive first team QoS games comprising 14 in the league and 4 in the end of season play-offs that successfully preserved QoS' status in the Scottish professional football second tier. His last QoS game of his loan at the club was the 0-0 home draw v Raith Rovers on 18 May 2019 for an aggregate 3-1 play-off win. He departed with one goal in the scoring chart; the strike mentioned above v Dunfermline.
Aged 21, Wilson was announced on 31 January 2020 as re-signed for QoS this time by Allan Johnston . This was again on loan from Kilmarnock until the end of the season. In his time back at Kilmarnock he had added 4 1st team competitive appearances to his name (3 starts and 1 as a late sub all in the league top tier).
His 1st game on his QoS return was on Saturday 1 February 2020 in the 3-2 home league defeat by Dunfermline. Wilson played at centre-back in that game in which QoS had 4 1st team players out injured. New signings Deimantas Petravicius and Michael Ledger were also both unavailable while awaiting international clearance.
Iain rejoined the club on a 2 year deal in June 2022
Harry started as a youth with Rangers before moving to Gorgie and the Hearts Academy in 2014. His ability saw him progress to their senior set up, signing his first professional contract in 2017. During his seven years at Tynecastle he was linked with a move to Italian giants Juventus. After loan spells at Dunfermline and Montrose he has taken the decision to end his seven year association with the Edinburgh club and turn down a new deal in a bid to pursue regular first team football.
Highly rated, he has played for Scotland at Under 14, Under 15, Under 16, Under 17 and Under 19 levels.
A young Irish striker who joined, for an undisclosed fee, from Stranraer after netting 10 goals in 24 games for the Cleyholers
Carlisle born midfielder who typically plays centrally or on the left side chipping in with useful goals from midfield. Signed for Gary Naysmith on an emergency loan on 20 March 2018 from St Mirren. He was 23 when he signed having made over 150 competitive appearances for other clubs. He had been at QoS as a schoolboy before joining Carlisle United in 2010. He went straight into the side for a memorable debut in the 3-2 league win at Dundee United on 20 March 2018.
He then signed a one year deal on 8 May 2018 with Naysmith commenting, "he gave us a good balance in our midfield. It's no coincidence that since he came into the team our performances and results improved remarkably. Josh is a hard working, technical player who can play in a number of positions." His first QoS goal was in the 4-0 League Cup win at Edinburgh City on 21 July 2018. On occasion he has played for QoS up front to cover injuries in the squad.
Todd was widely praised for his role in the 1-1 Scottish Cup draw at Dundee on Saturday 19 January 2019. The Saturday after (26 January), Todd was substituted shortly before half time with a knee injury in the 2-1 league defeat at Partick Thistle. This injury kept Todd out of first team contention for the 3-0 Scottish Cup home replay win against Dundee on Tuesday 29 January. Todd was announced on Tuesday 26 February as having signed a pre-contract to join Dundee at the end of the 2018-19 season. He was still out of the QoS team at the time due to the knee injury picked up at Partick. After playing an hour in a 2-1 closed doors victory over Hearts on 23 March 2019, Todd returned to competitive action with an impressive display in central midfield in the 2-1 win at Dundee United on Saturday 30 March 2019.
Josh Todd played 50 competitive first QoS games in his just over a season at QoS initially on-loan and then directly contracted to the club. That was made up of 38 league games and 12 in cup & play-off games. He scored 7 goals all in season 2018/19; 6 in the league and 1 in the league cup. The last of those 7 goals was beautiful curling 52nd minute goal from the edge of the box to put QoS 2-0 up in the 2-1 home league win v Dunfermline on 20 April 2019. The last of those 50 appearances was in the end of seson play-off 0-0 home draw v Raith Rovers on 18 May 2019 for a 3-1 aggregate success to preserve QoS' status in the Scottish football 2nd tier.
Local striker who returned to the club for the 22/23 season, on a 2 year deal.
Young striker who scored against the club last season while on loan at Alloa. Signed a one year deal after his contract with Sunderland expired.
Lee signed a new one year deal in June, taking him through to 2023
A live wire, buzz bomb player with energy, running, skill and trickery from the creative attacking player who joined QoS from the youth team setup at St Mirren. Loaned out by QoS to Gretna in September 2016 to gain experience and played in Gretna's Scottish Cup ties v Buckie Thistle. His competitive QoS debut was in the 3-0 league win at St Mirren on 7 January 2017 as an 89th minute sub for Dom Thomas. He scored his first QoS goal after coming on as a sub v Dundee United in a 3-0 home league win on 21 April 2018. His first touch was to control the ball and his second was shooting inside the far post from the corner of the penalty area.
Murray added further goals in the 2018/19 end of season play-offs to stave off relegation. Given a run in the team on the right of a 3 pronged attack with Lyndon Dykes and Stephen Dobbie by newly returned boss, Allan Johnston, Murray scored the QoS goal in the 2-1 away first leg defeat at Montrose on 7 May 2019. He scored again a week later in the 3-1 away leg win at Raith Rovers. Murray impressed in they 4 play-off games.
Murray was recognised in the 2019 end of season Young Player of the Year awards. Murray shared the Travel Club award with Jordan Marshall. Murray was announced on 29 May 2019 as the 2nd player re-signed by Allan Johnston for the season ahead.
After spending 2 seasons at Partick Thistle, Connor rejoined the club in June 2022
Ciaran, who can play Centre Back or Right Back, was with Partick Thistle last season where he was a first team regular and was previously with both Hamilton Academical and Falkirk. He will wear squad number 12.
Manager Wullie Gibson said, "I'm pleased to finally get this one done. We've been talking to Ciaran for a few weeks now but things were delayed while he got married in Chicago over the summer. He's a player I've had my eye on for a while and gives us right sided options at the back both at centre back and right back. Understandably he wanted to get his wedding by with first but he's here now."
Ciaran himself added, "It's been a hectic few weeks with leaving Thistle and sorting things out with our wedding but discussions with the Gaffer were really easy and I'm delighted to get my future sorted out. I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the squad this morning and getting started."
Stuart came through the ranks of Dunfermline Athletic’s youth system, via a stint in the Fife Elite Football Academy, before signing for the Pars professionally in 2016. He made his first team bow during a loan spell at Edinburgh City in 2017/18 where he played regularly. Returning to his parent club Stuart was part of the first team pool at East End Park across the next two seasons, making a handful of appearances before joining Queen’s Park on loan in January 2020. Covid cut short his season of course but he had done enough to impress at Hampden and signed for the Spiders on a permanent basis in the summer of 2020, playing regularly until he sustained an injury last December and lost his place in the side.
Released by Queen’s Park following their promotion to the Championship Wullie Gibson has moved quickly to secure the signature of the centre back who worked with assistant manager Grant Murray in his time at Hampden. Stuart was also capped by Scotland u19’s in his time at Dunfermline and has agreed a one year contract at Palmerston.
Experienced defender, signed from Partick Thistle.
A young forward who joined from Aberdeen, following loan spells at Arbroath and Falkirk
Dumfries local boy who first joined QoS in 2013 from nearby Lochar Thistle Youths. His competitive QoS debut was aged 17 under the management of Allan Johnston in the home 3-0 League Cup defeat to Motherwell on 13 July 2019 that opened QoS' 2018/19 competitive season. Motherwell's goals were a 71st minute Liam Donnelly penalty followed by goals by Sherwin Seedorf and Jermaine Hylton. Irving was an 87 minute substitute for Jack Hamilton.
On 20 July 2019 he made his 2nd appearance for the 1st team in the 4-1 league cup win at Dumbarton. Irving was given a longer run out than his debut as a 61st minute sub for Andy McCarthy with Michael Paton moving to centre-mid for Irving to play at right wing. The match report commented of Irving, "Irving showed glimpses of what he's about, dancing around Dumbarton left-back Rico Quitongo before being fouled in the middle of the park."
Irving's league debut was on Saturday 24 August 2019 in the 1-0 defeat at Ayr when he was a 79th minute sub for Stephen Dobbie. His home league debut was also against Ayr this time when QoS won 3-1 on 9 November 2019. Irving again replaced Dobbie this time in the 89th minute.
Ross rejoined the club in July 2022 after spells at Livingston and Stranraer
Young defender signed on loan from Hearts
The second signing by Marvin Bartley, on loan from one of his previous clubs, Hibs.
Currently on loan at Gartcairn
Currently on loan at Abbey Vale
Goalkeeper Max Currie recently left Airdrie. Max has been the Diamonds first choice goalkeeper through the last two seasons, both of which have seen them reach the playoff final. After the disappointment of failing to get promoted again he was after a new challenge. He came through the ranks at Motherwell but had 5 years at Stranraer in between times, establishing himself eventually as their No 1 before moving on to Airdrie. During his time with the Stair Park side he could count one Wullie Gibson as a team mate for a season. He too has agreed a one year contract at Palmerston.
20 year old Ewan is a product of the Seasiders’ own Academy and has made one appearance so far for their first team. He had loan spells last season with Bamber Bridge, Telford United and FC United of Manchester.
A move to Queen of the South to continue his professional development was suggested by our very own ‘King of Goals’, Stephen Dobbie, who is now Senior Professional Development Phase Coach at Blackpool since retiring from playing. Ewan was up for a few days training with us earlier in the summer and a deal has now been agreed for him to join us for the next 4 months.
Manager Wullie Gibson said, “I’m delighted to get Ewan in. I’ve had a good look at him in training and he will give us something a bit different to what we already had. At 6’4 he can give us an aerial presence too as we don’t have a great deal of height in the squad. I speak to ‘Dobs’ regularly and recommended young Ewan. He speaks very highly of him and he certainly couldn’t have a better mentor for a young forward!”
Ewan added, “I’m pleased to be here. Stephen Dobbie has told me all about the club and I hope to be able to make just a fraction of the impact here that he did. It’s been good to meet the lads this morning and get started.”
With the unexpected recall this afternoon of Tom Ritchie by Aberdeen the manager has moved quickly to address the position and we are delighted to welcome former Scotland squad keeper Scott Fox back to Palmerston on loan from Motherwell for the rest of the season, subject to a January recall option.
Scott is no stranger to Palmerston having played six games for us under Gordon Chisholm back in 2010 after he left Celtic. Since then his career has taken him to Dundee, Partick Thistle, Ross County, a return to Thistle and then Motherwell. During his first spell with Partick Thistle he was called up to the full Scotland squad.
Nineteen-year-old, Tom turned professional in 2019 and was in the squad for Aberdeen’s Europa Conference matches last year. Having previously spent time on loan at Huntly, the young stopper signed a contract extension which keeps him at Pittodrie until 2024.
Recalled by Aberdeen on the closing day of the transfer window, in order to get more game time at Peterhead.
Check out our hospitality packages