St Mirren: Luke Conlan handed contract after Burnley exit

Conlan was on trial with St Mirren

Former Burnley central defender Luke Conlan has signed a one-year contract with St Mirren.

The Buddies entered talks with the 20-year-old and midfielder Cameron Howieson after the two products of the Turf Moor academy impressed on trial.

Northern Ireland Under-21 international Conlan is expected to be included in the St Mirren squad for Saturday's Petrofac Training Cup tie.

The Paisley side host League Two outfit Berwick Rangers.

Conlan, who played in St Mirren's 3-0 friendly defeat by his former club on Thursday and can also play at left-back, was released by Burnley last summer.

But he re-signed for the club, then in the English Premier League, in September after recovering from a knee injury.

Howieson, who has a Scottish father but has nine caps for New Zealand, made two substitute appearances for the Clarets when they were in the Championship in 2012.

Buddies trialist Cameron Howieson has nine caps for New Zealand

However, the 20-year-old, who also impressed for the Buddies on trial, did not feature again and had a loan spell with Doncaster Rovers without making a single appearance in 2013.

Meanwhile, Scotland Under-19 forward Thomas Reilly has failed to earn a new contract with St Mirren.

The 20-year-old had been released at the end of the season but was then offered a trial by new manager Ian Murray.

Murray, though, decided to only pursue the signatures of Conlan and Howieson following their friendly against Bradford.

However, 23-year-old Togo midfielder Thomas Amegnaglo, who played for Southern League Premier Division club Banbury United last season, also featured against Burnley.